Vanquishing neglect

Like many Mediterranean gardens, Serre de la Madone is vulnerable to climate extremes, especially prolonged drought and intense rainfall. The garden also faces challenges from pests and diseases such as the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis), which devastated historical hedges.

After Johnston’s death, the property changed hands several times and through neglect fell into a sorry state of disrepair. Much of the garden’s infrastructure has decayed, and important buildings are approaching ruin.

Conservation efforts now focus on introducing resilient species and restructuring plantings without compromising Johnston’s original vision. A bold plan has been developed to shore up infrastructure and make the garden safer for visitors.

This all takes huge financial resources. If you’d like to help, please visit our Donate page.