The Mallorcan Countryside Garden

Situated in Es Pla, the fertile plain at the heart of Mallorca, this traditional stone finca looks out over open countryside and a working olive grove.

Close to the house, the garden is soft yet composed, with clipped mounds of native rosemary and lentiscus lining sandstone gravel paths. An arbour draped in wisteria casts shade over the walk beneath. From here, the planting loosens into broad drifts of French lavender, Russian sage and ornamental grasses, punctuated with agapanthus and gaura blooms.

The palette is cool-toned: blues, purples and soft whites set against every shade of green. The restraint lets the garden read as a single composition, while the golden glow of Mallorca's light does the rest.

Each season brings its own moment. In early spring, echium adds drama, its tall blue spires rising in ranks along the path. Summer belongs to the meadow, where layers of golden grasses and Russian sage come alive with bees and birdsong. In autumn, Virginia creeper turns crimson against silvered lavender.

Towards the garden's edges, the planting gradually becomes more naturalistic. Trees and perennials are carefully positioned so that the boundary between the garden and the olive grove beyond dissolves. This transition planting is Alexander's favourite part of the garden. It feels unhurried and romantic, allowing both garden and home to belong fully to the Mallorcan countryside.