On the Aegean island of Paros, off the coast of Greece, garden designer Carolyn Chadwick created a coastal garden with waves of plantings to emulate the blue waves below.
To capitalize on sea views from the house, Netherlands-based Chadwick created a series of undulating garden beds filled with plants such as lavender, cacti, and ornamental grasses that require little water even in a sunny, hot climate. With an emphasis on blue and white plants, the garden's colors echo the colors of the water on the horizon.
Photographs via Carolyn Chadwick.
Above: Overlooking the garden, the house has typical Greek whitewashed walls to reflect midday sun. To create the same look, see "DIY: Whitewashed Greek Walls."
Above: The unobstructed sea view, from the house.
Above: Agapanthus, a native of South Africa, is drought resistant.
Above: A stone terrace surrounded by blue, white, and purple flowers also has views of the sea.
Above: Smooth local rock creates a seating arrangement on the terrace.
Above: Paths of crushed stone edged with irregularly shaped rocks meander through the garden, where plantings are kept low to avoid blocking sea views.
Above: A rose under a hot sun.
Above: Agapanthus buds, daisies, lavender, and ornamental grasses.
Above: The front of the house, and garage, face inland, with a pergola-shaded terrace to provide shade.
For another of our favorite seaside gardens, see Rustic Living on the Beach in Uruguay.
N.B.: This is an update of a post originally published August 12, 2012.