The 2013 AGM: Attica
photos by by Bob Burlumi, Jane Newbery and Valerie Whittington
We drove through sections that were like a war zone
with everything completely burned, leaving a moonscape of
blackened tree trunks, grey ash and crumbling mountainside
Setting off on our guided forest walk on Mount Parnitha
Before the fires this area was known as the ‘Forest of the Giants’.
The only tree here that is endemic to Greece is the Abies cephalonica,
our guide explained that the Pinus nigra (resembling a Christmas tree)
has been introduced to create shade so that the young fir trees can
establish themselves and grow
By the time our guided tour of the Acropolis Museum ended it was dark
outside. It was ‘magic’ to look across at the Acropolis lit up at night
The garden at Keratea
The choice of plants here ensures that the garden fits into the natural landscape
Shrubs and perennials had been identified as a missing
element
in the garden.
Subsequently, a new layer to existing
tree planting
has been added, providing a new dimension
and structure within the garden
The Slavia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage) was flowering in glorious
profusion during our visit
Jennifer explained how the soil is prepared prior to planting to ensure
good drainage, with river sand incorporated wherever necessary.
A gravel mulch, 10cm thick, is considered a key aspect to this approach.
Piers explained that no membrane is used underneath this to allow for
self-seeding of desired plants
Taller trees and shrubs gave another level of interest above the happy
plant
combinations of colour shape and texture from the drought resistant plants below
Sparoza continues to be an experimental garden. Jaqueline Tyrwhitt wrote
that any plant capable of surviving in the tough conditions of Sparoza was
likely to do well elsewhere
Sparoza is glorious in winter and spring when
it is full of flowers, while in summer and early
autumn it is a celebration of the natural
aestivation of drought-tolerant plants
Post-AGM Excursion to the South-West Peloponnese
photos by Katherine Greenberg
There were beautiful views as we travelled towards Nemea for our visit
to the Semeli Winery, on the Peloponnese
The Gialova Lagoon, near Pylos. The sky shows how lucky we were
to be able to walk here after very heavy rain
We enjoyed a very special walk here led by Andrea Bonetti.
The Gialova Lagoon is a haven for wildlife; flamingos in particular
The theatre at Ancient Mesinni, between showers!
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