6 of the Most Beautiful Gardens in the Mediterranean

"Whether perched above the Mediterranean or nestling in the heart of a town, whether inspired by rural tradition or by the history of Italy, Greece, and Portugal, or governed by a joyous sensuality, the gardens of Jean Mus show that imagination and sensitivity are more important than the ruler and the compass," writes Diane McDowell, author of the new book Private Gardens of the Mediterranean (Rizzoli, $35). McDowell takes us on a tour of 20 of the talented landscape designer's projects in this lush region, and the stories behind each reveal Mus's dedication to celebrating the uniqueness of every flower, shrub, and tree. " Gardening is not an exercise in patience but rather a matter of accepting an extraordinary gift that is renewed each morning," he writes. Read on to discover six of his beautiful creations.

"The visitor, surprised by the contrast between the narrowness of the approach and the far-reaching panorama which unfolds beneath his gaze, stops for a few minutes to catch his breath," writes McDowell of this secluded garden in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Carefully crafted drystone walls ensure that this Grasse, France, garden will be around for years to come. "Over the centuries, the location lost its military purpose to become a farm. So I accentuated this natural evolution by planting olive trees and Provençal cypresses, adding touches of gray and blue by using lavender and rosemary," Mus tells McDowell.

Visitors enter this walled Portugal garden through an iron gate featuring the owners' crests. Inside stand olive and four-seasons lemon trees.

This Vence, France, garden sits atop a hill overlooking a nearby village. "Jean Mus created [the most beautiful view] by taking a stand of gigantic cypresses and transforming it into a grand avenue which descends to a round pond surrounded by laurel trees," writes McDowell.

On another Grasse property, "the garden designed at the foot of the old bastide, right under the master's nose, reflected the refined and languid grace of the eighteenth century," writes McDowell.

As you continue to walk through this same garden, it transforms into a more romantic, unhindered landscape. "Under the protection of a Mediterranean Hackberry tree, ponds of different heights flow into the main canal which surrounds a collection of citrus trees," writes McDowell.