Monday, February 17, 2014
Mark and Gaz
One of the places we visited last week whilst in Barcelona was The Picasso Museum. As you can imagine, typical of most museums photography inside the galleries is not allowed. However the museum itself, consisting of five adjoining medieval palaces converted to become a large art gallery is an attraction in itself, especially to those appreciative of architecture.
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Sometimes only one plant is all you need to enhance a space....
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| Pablo Picasso keeping an eye on his visitors... |
The layout, detail, and sense of history the converted palaces conveyed was great to see and feel. We took as much time admiring the carvings and stonework of the museum as much as we did with the art works of Picasso they had on display. The museum had several inner courtyards and each of them had one plant in a pot on display. Being plant lovers we took note of them too.
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| Livistona? Sabal? |
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| Dracaena draco - not hardy in the UK but you can obtain a similar look with a much hardier Yucca rostrata |
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| Syagrus romanzoffiana |
We actually admired these plants almost as much as we did the architecture. How effective they were, as singular plants displayed in their own dedicated space. Their architectural merits were undeniable and they looked great displayed like that. They enhance the space and at the same time the space lets you admire and appreciate them even more, standing there like a sculpture.
So many exotic plants (to the UK and similar climates as the word 'exotic' is relative) out there have undeniable architectural merits, one of the reasons we love them so much! They make their presence known, enhance their space, and look great both on their own or combined with other plants.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
No need to take us inside with exterior shots like these.
ReplyDeleteThe exterior was just, if not more beautiful than the interior Ricki :)
DeleteThose are some of the most effective uses of palms in pots I've seen anywhere.
ReplyDeleteWe agree Kris, simple yet effective!
DeleteThose are very small pots for those two tall palms!
ReplyDeleteThey are Renne but the plants are in a very sheltered spot and the favourable climate in Barcelona helps too.
DeleteLovely, and a great reminder of the age old "less is more" wisdom (something I'm not very good at I'm afraid).
ReplyDeleteIndeed Loree but we do love your 'more and more' approach as it's very similar to ours, plus your garden is fab!
DeleteThat´s a nice place! those plants are certainly main characters! but people usually don´t notice the work they do.
ReplyDeleteSadly that's true Lisa but there are at least some plant lovers out there like all of us who do notice and appreciate them :)
DeleteWorth visiting just for the building alone. Beautiful architecture. They sure don't make them like that anymore.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Indeed Cher :) Old world charm still has a strong following!
DeleteOh yummy, I love a good courtyard, and to have sweeping stairways and balconies is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteQuite a decadent feel to the property with all those features Janet!
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