Lake Maggiore CH – Terraced Garden

A Terraced Garden Full of Views and Surprises This garden above Lake Maggiore was created for a passionate garden enthusiast – and presented a unique design challenge. On a property just 16 meters deep, we needed to overcome a height difference of approximately ten meters. From this challenge emerged a garden full of dynamism, intriguing transitions, and breathtaking views of the lake and the Swiss Alps. Visitors move through the garden over multiple terraces, each with its own character and atmosphere. The entrance area welcomes guests with elegance and calm. Thanks to its semi-shaded location, shrubs such as peonies, Tetrapanax, Clematis armandii, Osmanthus, ferns, camellias, and Acanthus mollis thrive here. A mature magnolia from the renowned Eisenhut nursery towers above, giving the impression that this part of the garden has existed for decades. Around the pool and terrace, the planting takes on a Mediterranean character, resilient to heat and sun. It beautifully connects the modern architecture of the house with the surrounding landscape. Cork oaks, Tulbaghia violacea, Gaura lindheimeri, Trachelospermum jasminoides, and Romneya coulteri create a sense of lightness and summer elegance. The main terrace is shaded by a pergola draped in wisteria – a typical sight in Ticino. Here, roses and lavender flourish, complemented by winter-hardy lemon trees and an evergreen Magnolia grandiflora. A staircase leads down to the woodland-inspired upper garden, where palms, pomegranate, fig trees, and a newly planted pine create a natural, slightly wild atmosphere. This is a garden that delights, surprises, and constantly invites visitors to linger. Collaboration Architecture: Klaus Frey, SPAZIO AMBIENTE, Locarno Landscaping: Giovanni Schober, Ascona Magnolia Nursery: Reto Eisenhut in San Nazzaro