Garden Centers in Gandia
A Green Oasis in Gandia: Our Journey Through Local Garden Centers
Owning and managing Villa Florencia Casa Rural in Gandia for the past 18 years has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Our journey began with a vision of creating a beautiful, lush garden surrounding our villa, a space that could be both a haven for our guests and a personal sanctuary. Little did we know, this endeavor would take us on countless adventures to the local garden centers in search of the perfect plants to bring our dream to life.
Our garden at Villa Florencia is more than just a collection of plants; it’s a reflection of our passions and the places we’ve called home. I, Mark, am originally from South Africa, a land blessed with diverse flora that thrives in a Mediterranean climate similar to Gandia’s. My husband, Nigel, hails from the UK, where his love for traditional English flowers was born. Together, we’ve blended our backgrounds, experiences, and horticultural passions to create a garden that is both vibrant and eclectic.
Bringing a Piece of South Africa to Spain
As someone who grew up in Cape Town and Pretoria, I have a deep appreciation for the beauty of South African plants. When we moved to Gandia, I was eager to introduce some of my favorite plants from back home into our garden. The Mediterranean climate here, with its hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, is remarkably similar to the conditions in South Africa, making it possible to grow a variety of plants that are native to my homeland.
Another South African gem that has found a home in our garden is the Jacaranda tree. When in bloom, its lavender-blue flowers create a stunning canopy that never fails to impress our guests. The Jacaranda has become a focal point in our garden, offering shade and beauty in equal measure. Every spring, when the Jacaranda blossoms, it feels like a little piece of Pretoria has come to Gandia.
Its stunning purple-blue flowers, which bloom in late spring, have always been a favorite of mine. We now have 12 Jacarandas scattered throughout our property, each one adding a splash of color and a touch of home. In addition to the Jacarandas, we’ve planted Agapanthus, with their striking blue and white flower clusters, and the iconic Bird of Paradise, whose exotic flowers never fail to catch the eye.
Wisteria, with its cascading lavender blossoms, is another South African favorite that we’ve successfully integrated into our garden. It adds a touch of elegance and nostalgia, reminding me of the beautiful gardens I admired in Cape Town. Seeing these plants thrive in our garden not only brings a sense of satisfaction but also keeps me connected to my roots.
Nigel’s English Garden in the Mediterranean
Nigel’s contribution to our garden has been equally significant, with his love for traditional English flowers shaping many of our flower beds. Roses, geraniums, petunias, and hibiscus are among his favorites, and he’s carefully curated a selection that blooms throughout the year, ensuring that there’s always something in flower, no matter the season.
The rose garden is Nigel’s pride and joy. He’s meticulously chosen a variety of roses that not only look beautiful but also fill the air with their intoxicating fragrance. The sight of these roses in full bloom, their petals kissed by the morning sun, is nothing short of magical.
Geraniums and petunias, with their bright and cheerful blooms, add a splash of color to our garden, while hibiscus, with its large, showy flowers, brings a tropical feel. These plants are a nod to Nigel’s English heritage, but they also blend seamlessly with the more exotic elements of our garden, creating a harmonious and diverse landscape.
A Symphony of Seasonal Blooms
One of the joys of gardening is watching the landscape change with the seasons. We’ve dedicated several flower beds to seasonal bulbs, ensuring that our garden is in a constant state of flux, with different flowers taking center stage throughout the year. In spring, our beds come alive with the vibrant colors of irises, tulips, and gladioli. As the weather warms, dahlias, oriental lilies, Asiatic lilies, and freesias burst into bloom, filling the garden with their rich colors and delightful fragrances.
One of our favorite additions has been the Hemerocallis, or daylily. These hardy perennials are incredibly versatile, and their blooms, though short-lived, are produced in such abundance that they provide a continuous display of color from late spring through to early autumn.
Exploring Gandia’s Garden Centers
To bring our vision of the perfect garden to life, we’ve spent countless hours exploring the garden centers in Gandia. These establishments have become our go-to places for sourcing new plants, finding gardening supplies, and seeking advice on how to care for our diverse collection of flora. Three garden centers, in particular, have played a crucial role in helping us create the garden of our dreams: Espacio Verde, Naturae Gandía, and Complejo Nova.
Espacio Verde
Espacio Verde is a veritable paradise for plant lovers. From the moment you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by a vast array of plants, from delicate orchids to robust outdoor shrubs. The knowledgeable staff at Espacio Verde have been instrumental in helping us select the right plants for our garden, offering advice on everything from soil types to watering schedules.
One of the things we love about Espacio Verde is their selection of exotic plants. This has allowed us to experiment with different species, adding unique and unusual plants to our garden that you wouldn’t typically find in a Mediterranean setting. The quality of the plants at Espacio Verde is exceptional, and we’ve found that everything we’ve purchased here has thrived in our garden.
Their range of garden accessories and tools is also impressive. Whether we’re looking for organic fertilizers, pest control solutions, or decorative pots, Espacio Verde has it all. Their commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices is something we greatly appreciate, and it’s reflected in the products they offer.
Naturae Gandía
Naturae Gandía is another garden center that has become a favorite of ours. What sets Naturae apart is their focus on organic and sustainable gardening. They offer a wide range of organic plants, seeds, and gardening supplies, which aligns perfectly with our desire to maintain a garden that is both beautiful and environmentally responsible.
The staff at Naturae Gandía are passionate about what they do, and their enthusiasm is infectious. We’ve learned so much from them about organic gardening practices, from composting to natural pest control methods. Their advice has helped us create a garden that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also eco-friendly.
Naturae Gandía also has a fantastic selection of Mediterranean plants that are perfectly suited to the climate in Gandia. This has been invaluable in helping us choose plants that will thrive in our garden without requiring excessive water or maintenance. Their focus on sustainability extends to their range of garden furniture and accessories, many of which are made from recycled or sustainable materials.
Complejo Nova
Complejo Nova is a garden center that offers a little bit of everything. From plants and seeds to garden furniture and outdoor decor, it’s a one-stop shop for all our gardening needs. What we love most about Complejo Nova is their wide selection of plants, which includes both common and more unusual varieties.
We’ve found some real gems at Complejo Nova, including some of the more exotic plants in our garden. Their outdoor section is particularly impressive, with a wide range of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants that are perfect for creating a lush, green oasis. The staff at Complejo Nova are always friendly and helpful, and they’ve provided us with some great advice on plant care and garden design.
In addition to plants, Complejo Nova also has an excellent selection of garden furniture and accessories. We’ve purchased several pieces of outdoor furniture from them, which have helped us create comfortable and stylish seating areas throughout our garden. Whether we’re looking for a new bench, a set of garden chairs, or some decorative lanterns, Complejo Nova never disappoints.
The Gardening Department at Leroy Merlin
While our local garden centers have been our primary sources for plants and gardening supplies, we’ve also found the gardening department at Leroy Merlin to be incredibly useful. Leroy Merlin is a large home improvement store with a comprehensive gardening section that offers everything from plants and seeds to tools and outdoor furniture.
One of the things we appreciate about Leroy Merlin is the convenience of being able to find everything we need in one place. Their selection of gardening tools is particularly impressive, and we’ve purchased many of our essential tools from here, including shovels, rakes, and pruning shears. They also offer a wide range of fertilizers, soils, and mulches, making it easy to find the right products for our garden.
In addition to their gardening supplies, Leroy Merlin also has a great selection of outdoor furniture and decor. We’ve found some beautiful pieces here that have helped us create inviting outdoor spaces where our guests can relax and enjoy the beauty of our garden. Their prices are competitive, and the quality of their products is consistently high.
The Joy of Gardening in Gandia
Creating and maintaining the garden at Villa Florencia has been a labor of love. Each plant we’ve chosen, each flower bed we’ve designed, and each tree we’ve planted has been carefully considered and nurtured. Our garden is a reflection of our journey, blending the influences of South Africa and the UK with the unique beauty of the Mediterranean landscape.
The garden centers of Gandia have played an essential role in this journey, providing us with the plants, tools, and knowledge we needed to bring our vision to life. Whether we’re searching for a rare exotic plant, looking for organic gardening solutions, or simply seeking inspiration, these garden centers have never let us down.
As we walk through our garden, admiring the blooms and enjoying the peaceful ambiance, we’re reminded of the countless hours we’ve spent tending to this space. It’s a place where our pasts and presents converge, where the flora of South Africa, the flowers of England, and the warmth of Spain come together to create something truly special.
Gardening in Gandia has been a journey of discovery, learning, and growth. We’re grateful for the wonderful garden centers that have been our partners in this endeavor, and we look forward to many more years of gardening adventures as we continue to cultivate our little piece of paradise at Villa Florencia.
