A former quarryman’s cottage, Ithaca House sits on terraced land high above the Corfu Straits with far-reaching views east across to the mountains of Albania, and to the south, glorious wooded hillsides of mixed deciduous and evergreens where trees such as Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum), Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), Turkey Oak, (Querus cerris) grow. The Brief: To create a dry, aromatic garden using native species reflecting the colours and character of the Corfiot landscape, to be used primarily as place of relaxation for holiday guests and thus to retain interest during summer. Process: The finished garden design is simple: a pergola outside the kitchen gives shade for a dining table and has a view of a modest pool with planted terraces either side. A winding gravel path passes between the terraces which form a tapestry of aromatic and sculptural shrubs, mounds and cushions of contrasting textures in various shades of grey and green. These undulating forms reach out to those found in the wooded landscape beyond the garden’s boundaries, and though the planting is interspersed with pastel perennials, it is primarily the shrub weave which carries the garden through summer. The house is available for rentals May-October through Coolstays. Client: Ithaca House (@ithacahousecorfu) Landscape Architect: Jennifer Gay Contractor - Hard works: Makis Gisdakis Contractor - Soft works: Jennifer Gay/Piers Goldson Area: 0.5 acre (2 stremmata) 2012-2013 Photography: Clive Nichols, Jennifer Gay