Orvieto, Umbria

Located on a high windswept plain, this stone farmhouse enjoys huge vistas across rolling agricultural territory to mountains beyond. But it is the spot’s salient feature – openness – which foiled the owners’ attempts to make a liveable garden. In their desire not to detract from the spirit of the place, they created a garden with no intimate corners or beckoning havens. With a few tweaks to the layout, I aimed to introduce intimacy while leaving the panorama unspoilt.

2013-14

Planting by Vivai Michelini