Gardens Near and Far episode 34 : on the volcanic island of Ischia – in the gulf of Naples – the la Mortella domain’s tropical vegetation is surprisingly lively. Paths have been carved in volcanic rock and are flanked by Mediterranean essences.
They lead to the garden’s top – which has a splendid view on the city of Forio and the sea. The London composer Sir William Walton settled here with his wife Suzana at the end of the Second World War – in what was only a volcanic stone quarry. Lady Suzana had always dreamed of creating a garden. With the help of Russel Page – a renowned British landscaper – she thus created an original garden where William Walton could compose his music at peace, far from the London tumult.
Landscape architect Jean-Philippe Teyssier takes us on a discovery of the most beautiful gardens in France and the world. The gardeners, landscapers, horticulturalists, architects, historians and estate managers he meets unveil the art of gardening. They show us how gardens have been designed, planted and maintained over the centuries. The exceptional gardens Jean-Philippe Teyssier visits make up a myriad of passions, journeys, colors and shapes.
Gardens Near and Far episode 34 – La Mortella
La Mortella is a private garden in the island of Ischia, Italy. It was first opened to the public in 1991. It was created by Susana Walton (1926–2010), wife of the composer William Walton, starting in the 1950s as the main residence for the couple.
Tropical and Mediterranean plants were planted and some have now reached considerable proportions. The gardens include views over the city and harbour of Forio. The British garden designer Russell Page provided advice on the initial design, but the garden evolved over the course of more than 50 years of development by Lady Walton. She opened the garden to the public in 1991 and handed over management and eventually ownership to the Fondazione William Walton.
A museum dedicated to the life and work of William Walton is now part of the garden complex. It hosts the William Walton Foundation and a Greek Theatre where Italian and foreign schools of music perform more than 70 weekend concerts, plus masterclasses and a programme for composers from Harvard University. In 2004 it was awarded First Prize as il più bel parco d’Italia (the most beautiful park in Italy) by the American company Briggs & Stratton, against competition from 100 other gardens.
