Ana Veras signs a 10,000 m² garden in a condominium in Teresópolis

A sensory garden of 10,000 m², created and implemented in just 20 days, was designed to express the lush views and mountainous climate of Teresópolis. Designed by landscape architect Ana Veras, from the CASACOR Rio team, the garden aims to provide well-being to the condominium residents through integration with nature. Marked by winding paths, the project houses fragrant lantanas, which attract pollinators like butterflies and the Jataí bee, and hundreds of lavenders, creating an unmistakable aroma. The landscaping also includes an orchard with jabuticabeiras, pitangueiras, mini pitanga, and amoreiras, all labeled to connect residents with the local flora. The project was designed to bloom in various seasons of the year. "The idea was to create a garden that could be perceived in all ways: the scent of flowers, the sounds of wildlife, the touch of leaves, vibrant colors, and even the taste of fruits picked from the orchard," explains Ana Veras. Species like manacá-de-cheiro, capim-do-Texas, quaresmeira, bougainville, sete-léguas, manacá-da-serra, hamamelis, and agapanthus color the spaces with purple, pink, eggplant, and lilac. Except for capim-do-Texas and hamamelis, all are native to Brazil.

"Our biggest challenge was to dodge the heavy summer rains, the time of the project's implementation, which left the beds flooded and the slopes slippery," says Ana. To create shaded areas and soften the terrain's slopes, Ana Veras planted pau-mulato alleys and jacarandá-mimoso, as well as ipês. The azaleas act as a "natural guardrail" and medium-sized trees were planted on the slopes to balance the landscape. "I made a point of including species that would bring fauna back, like the mulberries near the house, which now attract birds and even the seriema Amora, our distinguished visitor," says the landscape architect. "It is gratifying to see that the garden is not only contemplated but also lived and inhabited."