Inspired by the English City Gardens, the vegetation in Park Güell played a vital role from the outset. The original idea for the vegetation derived from two plans of action that were to be carried out in parallel to the construction project: the intensive architectural intervention around the main gate resulted in the widespread use of ornamental plants that are highly suitable for Mediterranean gardens and courtyards, with some species typical of modernist gardens. Apart from the central square, the aim was to maintain the pre-existing agricultural landscape, which mainly consisted of carobs and olive trees. The commercial failure of the development project explains the evolution of the vegetation of the unoccupied lots, which have now been invaded by all kinds of sclerophyllous species (such as privet, buckthorn and pittosporum), thanks to birds scattering their seeds. Almost 100 years later, Park Güell can be considered the last modernist garden, and one of the first Mediterranean gardens in Barcelona.
Cycle: Gardens and Creators in 20th-Century Catalonia
Organized by: Residence for Researchers
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