Let’s start a new series on discovery! Nothing epic, like ‘finding a new species of orchid in the Amazon rainforest’, but little discoveries in our own backyard, so to speak. Starting with this one: a garden I drove by many times and never visited. It’s not even that little, but you can’t really see it from the road: a hidden gem.

Oh and did I mention we’ll be moving house soon? Okay, more on that next month. Anyway, the reason I brought it up is because this garden is not far from our new home: lucky, right? (me, trying to focus)

 

This lush private Mediterranean garden didn’t even exist 20 years ago. Before that, there was nothing. A barren field has been lovingly transformed into what we see here today. Allright, I’ll stop talking now and show you the (iPhone) photos I took. And remember, we’re in the Netherlands. I mean, really:

Palm trees. And huge ones, at that.

 

Can you believe this fruiting(!) banana?

 

Little pathways and bamboo everywhere.

 

Little details to enjoy all over the place. We went through the garden twice, in reverse too and we discovered new things every time.

 

Love this crazy tree.

 

And of course I can never resist a greenhouse…

 

Ruins of the village church in this private garden.

 

Stone frog at the foot of the old church. Every garden needs at least one frog, I think.

 

Lush green foliage everywhere.

 

And let’s not forget the many mosaics by MissMoza.

 

This bench was crazy! So cool.

 

More mosaics against the walls, this one even had real coins in it.

 

Hello, weird tiger and skull print fishy :)

 

Mosaics and the Mediterranean theme continued indoors. There are parties held here in summer, which are open to the public.

 

A cork tree, growing happily in this wonderful microclimate.

 

Follies galore here, such as this small faux house.

 

Lots of owl images everywhere, referring to the owner’s name.

 

Follies to view, touch and even climb.

 

A little view from the top.

 

Details like this get me every time. This place is so eclectic and fun.

 

Just lovely…

Of course I had to get the touristy ‘greetings from Buttinge’ postcard. You’ll appreciate the humour when I tell you that the tiny ‘village’ of Buttinge only consists of one street with a few houses (allright, and there’s the gas station).

Want to visit this garden too? Find more information on their website (in Dutch): middellandsezeetuin.nl