Discover, why plant selection at the main beaches of Puerto de la Cruz was not the easiest part of landscape design...
Figure yourself in charge of plant selection for a composition of beaches on volcanic Tenerife Island...Your first choice will be people orientated. You want to create great, safe and pleasing beach environment for locals and tourists alike. At the same time, landscaping criteria for choosing the right plants are of utmost importance. This meant landscaping with as much as possible indigenous flora for the landscaper Cesar Manrique. However, the depicted roadside above the beaches needed screening off. An indigenous plant choice was not ideal there, but a subtropical plant selection.
Some trees besides palms had to grow well in beach sand such as the Seagrape and Tamarix Africana, both pictured beside.Also, trees and plants for 3 beaches had to be evergreen for a subtropical holiday feel all year round. The climate in Tenerife with its spring like gentle temperatures helped very much. Plant selection for top level of Playa Jardin:
Plant selection for medium and lowest terrace park level:
Admire the rare Namibian Crassula Argenteak planted in company of Geranium at Playa Jardin beach... The Crassula Argenteak from Namibia has dark stems and branches, contrary to more known varieties.
Draught and salt air resistant palms which stand up to wind:
Groundcover plant plant selection or pebbles of volcanic rocks?Ground covers were generally avoided on Playa Jardin. Coarse lava sand or tiny lava pebbles of black, but more often light brown color were chosen for focal point areas, instead. It is a good option, as temperatures are of a general 23 Degrees only, which means spring climate. Ground cover, made from light, crushed volcanic rocks gives a neat Tenerife flair, keeps out weeds, preserves soil moisture and is easier to maintain. In addition, a thin rubber piped irrigation system, could be easily hidden and can be reached for repairs.
A protected area in the back of beach Playa Charcon, which is a surf beach, was created as a buffer for park areas to its left and right. Indigenous flora with pampas grass in the middle is there. Palms create a wind barrier for it against the sea. An additional plant selection of endemic Yuccas and herbal plants was composed in a happy mix.This garden takes on a wilder appearance Find a well-balanced plant variety on every terrace level of Playa Jardin...All together, 17000 square meters display an amazing scene. The man with first choice of plants was the landscaper, environmental expert, and architect Cesar Manrique. Mr. Manrique had experience with plants for public areas of Tenerife. His selections of plants at Lago Lido Martianez were also excellent.
Why plants are like people...
Plants need their own space for optimum health and must not invade each other. A tree with spreading roots, such as the Laural or the Tenerife Drago must be kept away from other overtaking large trees. Hence, plant selection was a challenge on the beaches of Playa Jardin. Often, Germaniums were planted on their own. This was done by erecting additional low walls behind retaining walls. This method created uninterrupted flower containers. This means hollow walls to be filled up with soil, which were built all along retaining walls... Tall plants on the sands by the seashore were picked to give the illusion of height, while their roots go deep down to search for Tenerife ground water. Also, they are generally evergreen, as long as their dry leaves are chopped off in time. Obviously, anything else than palms was out of the question for planting directly by the shores. Safety and maintenance reasons contributed to doing so.
Plant selection and positioning for safety:The safety factor forbids Cactea, pieking Agaves or Yuccas too close to pathways. The same goes for Pointsettias, which have poisonous sap inside. Frangipanies or Oleander were only planted in the upper gardens of Playa Jardin, as those plants are also dangerous to human health. Not only people can get hurt but, also very young dogs. Puppies nibble at everything thing, you know...
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The test of time is proof that Mr.Manrique had good landscape design ideas with plant selection and much more... By the way, many a holiday home in Tenerife is overlooking the Puerto de la Cruz Playa Jardin beach parks from the adjoining resort Bahia Parque Enjoy romantic beach landscapes Playa Jardin Puerto de la Cruz thanks to the late expert Spanish landscaper César Manrique...
Go from plant selection to waterfall landscaping at Tenerife beaches Spain Playa Jardin to discover its flower design choice. ...
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