gardens

DESIGNER PROFILE
PLANTSCAPE
A stepping stone path leads through
this extraordinary area to the rest of the
garden. Texture, shape and form combine
to create a mesmerising moonscape
of plants and stone.
The spiky living balls are US native
Yucca rostrata. ’I am fascinated with the
globe shape,’ Brandon says. ‘I love how the
spheres work with the tree behind, which
becomes almost like a giant bonsai.’
Some of the egg-shaped stones are
lingams (‘sign’ in Sanskrit), which are
traditionally spiritual in Hinduism. The
others were sold as ‘dinosaur eggs’.
‘I knew exactly how and where to
use them,’ explains Brandon.
The carved stone water jars add yet
another dimension, reflecting the light,
shadows, the sky and the surrounding
vegetation. ‘When Elena is entertaining,
we float candles or flowers in them and
it changes the whole look of the garden.’
‘I love how the spheres work with the tree behind,
which becomes almost like a giant bonsai’
BRANDON TYSON
Garden designer Brandon Tyson
was born and raised in the Deep
South of the USA. Although fine
art training led to a career in
fashion and textiles, 30 years
ago he returned to his first
passion, creating gardens.
Garden writers and critics call
him one of Northern California’s
most sought-after designers, an
innovator who produces plantdriven
or modern architectural
outdoor spaces that are dynamic,
beautiful and have a sense of play.
He does not have just one style
of design but often lectures on
Mediterranean gardens and plants.
In 2005, he bought an historic
1870s house in Coastal Georgia
and is now developing his own
garden there filled with his
favourites, palm trees.
52 the english garden February 2013