A very Mediterranean Garden
The Terraced Gardens
Our garden and terraces offer a private, quiet and reflective space to gather your thoughts, enjoy precious moments and connect with nature; the sea, the plants, landscape, wildlife and big skies. You will never lose sight of Nimborio bay.
For sunbathing and a good book, for restorative evenings spent with friends and family, for remembering past times and making new memories. This garden is a very special place.
The terraces have plenty of space for dining, outdoor film nights, sunbathing and lounging -- and an outdoor kitchen for easy access to cool drinks and snacks. Steps from the lower terrace lead directly down to the sea, with an outdoor shower for your return or to cool off during the day. The sunbeds on the olive tree terrace sit within easy reach of the water too, sheltered and quiet, with nothing much to do but watch Nimborio go by.
Dimitri Launder is a Hellenic British artist & gardener, his maternal family is from Symi. Known as Artist Gardener, for 25 years he has led socially engaged practice that considers regenerative ecologies and gardens as reciprocal to our future. He consults on , designs and delivers gently provocative planting propagations, resulting in a diverse spectrum of works including conversations, walks, installations and often gardens. He has worked with RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, Tate Modern, CCA Glasgow, Arts Catalyst and Estuary Festival.
Dimitri describes a little of how he approached the brief and developed the design:
“I wanted the soil to be celebrated as the soul of this garden, alongside fragrant drought resistant planting & the sanctuary of cool dappled shade cradled by the ancient dry stone terrace walls. For Selene I researched and created a sustainable soil system based on my adaption of archaic methods. An integrated terracotta wormery system that I've called 'Amphora Composting' The amphora indigo lids sit in visual harmony with the terraces, the sea & the sky of Nimborio.
We wanted to embed the connection and relational ethos between Selene, the gardens & the ecology of the island....
Soil regeneration is at the core of rural sustainability on an island like Symi. There are thousands of archaic terraces across the island that have been pouring their fertile soil into the sea.... the evidence is in the prolific sea grass meadows. A green halo around the island quietly sequestereing more carbon than any forest ever could
The garden story in pictures:
About our talented garden designer: