The Andalucia Branch of the MGS

Andalucia is a huge area with some of the sunniest, hottest or driest, even windiest, parts of Europe which pose many challenges to gardening. Gardeners in Andalucia are an international lot from all parts of the world, working and caring for all sorts of gardens, large and small, from historic gardens with Moorish influences, large agricultural estates, to gardens of modern holiday homes. 

Andalucia Branch Head is Sibylle Mattern: read her biography here. Members and prospective members please contact Sibylle with questions, ideas, suggestions. 

The photographs at the top of this page show views of Andalucia during winter: Landscape with cork oak; Plantings of aloe on the Mediterranean public coastal path, Marbella; View of the Alhambra, Granada; Almond tree blossom in February; Gardens of the Alcazar in Cordoba; Landscape with asphodels (Photos Sibylle Mattern)

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Past Events

September 2024
First Visit of the Branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society
On a windy and hot day twelve members of the newly revived Andalucían branch of the Mediterranean Garden Society gathered at the home of our branch head, Sibylle Mattern, whose garden she vividly describes in issues TMG 115 and TMG 116 of the journal. 

True followers of dry-gardening know that the end of a hot summer is a good time to see a garden for a learning experience. Every garden looks good in springtime, but at the end of a harsh summer?  Furthermore, this is our third year of drought here, and added to this, Sibylle’s garden, being on a hilltop, is exposed to wind from every direction. Her garden is cleverly designed to include protective pockets of shelter and shade, while still celebrating the wonderful 360 degree vista. In addition, Sibylle had ceased watering in some areas so we could see the true survival capabilities of some plants.

As to be expected there was some ‘plant envy’ as well, when some interesting plants from Australia and South Africa catching our attention. I was particularly attracted by the look and tactile feel of Calothamnus quadrifidus, commonly known as the one-sided bottle brush, from Western Australia. 

Sibylle, her husband Frank and garden designer Paul Neaum, were gracious hosts as we explored the garden and then shared lunch. Friendships were rekindled as some members knew each other from meetings arranged by Lindsay Blyth some years ago. There were also some members for whom this was their first meeting, as well as four ‘garden assistants’ as long-suffering partners described themselves. The gardening knowledge ranged from expert level to those who are novices in mediterranean gardening. The sharing of knowledge was generous; we all left with new ideas for our own gardens. Our next meeting will be held in another member’s garden during, where we hope to see more members; accompanying ‘garden assistants’ also welcome!

Text: Sonja Tiscenko, photos @ThomasSchlenzka

Sibylle Mattern
Sibylle joined the MGS with the aim to minimize mistakes after having started to create her own Mediterranean garden on the Costa del Sol, Spain. She is a biologist (molecular genetics) by training but has been gardening in Germany since her childhood. When she is not in her German or Spanish gardens, she spends her free time looking after her breeding horses or travelling for wildlife photography.

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