Editorial | Herbarium

Editorial | Herbarium

A stimulating tour of the Las Tenadas garden by Fernando Martos, its creator.

Exterior and interior are intermingled in this summer house where the vegetation becomes one more element of its architecture. A collection of plants carefully chosen by the landscape designer Fernando Martos share the limelight with solemn interiors, while the dim light that bathes the environment makes us forget the hottest summer.

Fernando Martos is a landscape designer trained between Madrid and Yorkshire. His English influence is reflected in his work to which he adds Mediterranean elements. His experience and creativity have made him a benchmark in the world of landscaping.

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YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE?

FM: The English garden, with its botanical richness, is what inspires me the most. Without losing the essence of the Mediterranean garden, which is shade, water and freshness, I try to make my gardens evolve and change throughout the seasons through planting.


WHAT HAS NATURE TAUGHT YOU?

FM: I have always liked observing nature from a very young age, I imagine that this has greatly influenced my work. I am passionate about the relationship between fauna and flora and I try to transfer that to my gardens, a butterfly or a bumblebee in the garden seems as interesting to me or more than a flower. I also plant trees to attract birds or other animals, for example.

The English garden, with its botanical richness, is what inspires me the most. Without losing the essence of the Mediterranean garden, which is shade, water and freshness.

WHERE DO YOU EXPERIMENT TO BE ABLE TO TEST THE EVOLUTION OF PLANTS AND SEE HOW THEY INTEGRATE TOGETHER?

FM: Every garden is different, so the selection of plants is different. There is always room for some experimentation in each project and to evolve.

IS THERE A LOT OF OUR NATIVE FLORA IN YOUR GARDENS OR DO YOU BRING MORE FROM OUTSIDE?

FM: The native flora is very important and there is always a base in every garden. However, sticking only to the native seems very limiting to me. There are many plants from similar climates that enrich the garden and prolong blooms.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR GARDENS?

FM: Each garden adapts to the place where it belongs and must adopt a different personality. The Romans called him genius loci, the genius of the place.

Each garden adapts to the place where it belongs and must adopt a different personality. The Romans called him genius loci, the genius of the place.

ANY ADVICE TO START FROM ZERO?

FM: Lots of patience! Gardening is a complex world and knowledge comes after a lot of work and time.

Discover the complete collection here .

SPACE: Las Tenadas ·
LANDSCAPE: Fernando Martos PHOTOGRAPHS: Marta Machín