by Elizabeth Shaheen
Bahrain’s environment of sweltering heat and drying winds, arid sands and decidedly alkaline limestone, on the face of it, offers an unpromising environment in which to cultivate a garden.
This is, happily, deceptive.
The key to successful gardening in Bahrain lies in soil preparation and your selection of plants. If you get these two things right then you are on your way to producing an exotic, verdant and colourful garden.
Traditionally, gardens in Bahrain have always played a central role. Bahrain’s traditional time-honoured gardens are defences against the tyrant of the region, the burning sun.
In the oasis, walls or banks shelter the arena from dehydrating winds and the drifting sands of the desert. No more than the vegetation that lies within access of natural springs and irrigation will survive, and it is cultivated on three levels.
The date palms provide pleasing shade and bear their life-sustaining fruit. Small fruit-bearing trees occupy the middle sections, while the thriving beds of alfalfa and vegetables cover the soil between the irrigation channels.
The oasis provides a serene garden setting. These traditional gardens are as much a part of Bahrain’s desert today as they were in times of antiquity.
The changing landscape of Bahrain, due to development and land reclamation, has meant that ever more homes are constantly under construction and thanks to the modern drip irrigation system, Bahrain’s homes can now enjoy their own private oases.
Many readers will be new to Bahrain, planning a new garden or adopting an established one.
Some will be residing in flats and will want to create a balcony garden.
While others, will want to create a patio garden and still others a family garden.
Most gardens are different from one another. Even if the plots are identical in size, they will vary in such significant matters such as whether the ground is flat or on a slope, type of soil, position, exposure and region.
Irrespective of the style of garden you aspire to, it must provide visual interest.
One of the basic principles of skilful planning is that your garden should not reveal all of its attractions in unison.
By dividing the plot into sections and constantly changing the picture, on your stroll through the garden you will discover fresh scenes.
A focal point will arrest the eye, where it will rest awhile until guided on its journey. As well as plants, countless things can impart focal points: a fountain, a birdbath, a sundial, a thoughtfully positioned statue, a stone urn, the list is endless.
Garden benches positioned beyond the end of the walk can give the far section visual appeal and will not only provide a resting place for the eye, but also the body to take in the view and to contemplate.
The most appropriate way to learn about how to create a rewarding design and garden is to study the example of others. This is best realised by visiting gardens in your area and beyond.
Note down attractive features of design and structures, together with the names of plants that have caught your eye, both individually and companion plantings, and talking to the gardeners.
You will not only learn from their success stories but you will also be able to learn from their frustrations and failures. Each season produces its own excitement. Therefore, plan your garden in such a way that there is always something going on in the garden.
Whatever the style of design and planting scheme you go for, the rewards are manifold.
Happily, the world is full of different tastes and needs, and particularly the garden world, which is what makes gardening a dynamic subject of conversation and garden-visiting one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Elizabeth Shaheen – GDN – 29 Jan, ’06