 It used to be an internal wilderness surrounded by walls. Nowadays people tend to visualise Marino as that group of buildings that surround the courtyard garden. Wilderness it certainly used to be: a haven for weeds and high grass, a few broken concrete paths and as the piece de resistence, a large ugly oil tank with enough oil to heat the whole institution for a winter. The only survivor of those days is the Araucaria -"monkey puzzle" to you and me, which now rejoices in the companionship of thousands of plants native to many countries.
Marino`s courtyard garden is a story of redemption, not so much ugly
duckling to swan as oil tank to water fountain. It is a redemption that
is associated especially with Brother John Bourke who is matter of fact
about it all. Down to earth even!
 "Initially there was no great thought given to the nature of planting. Any offering of a tree, shrub or perennial was gratefully accepted. As the garden developed many of those early pioneers were discarded and more suitable replacements were made. At no stage was an overall design contemplated. It was simply an instinctive use of space, bearing in mind the basics of sun, shade and moisture retention. As time progressed the quality of the soil was greatly improved by annual supplies of manure and mulch."
Today the garden houses an extensive variety of plants from New Zealand, Canaries and Madeira, China, Japan, South Africa, Mexico, South America, Australia, and Chile. Some survive at well below temperature limits due to the extra protection from the high walls but last winter has in some cases taken its toll.
Brother Bourke is philosophical about such attrition. "A plant
lost makes way for a welcome replacement. Yes, even gardens speak of
life and death but ahead there is new growth - the poetry of the earth
is never dead!"
The thousands of visitors to Marino greatly enjoy and appreciate the scents, the calm, and above all the sense of tranquility which the courtyard garden offers. This is one place that proves the old adage:
|
