Reconstruction of a mature garden in Guadalmina Baja, preserving existing palm and fruit trees

The project was carried out during the renovation of the house: part of the planting was damaged, and the garden structure was disrupted.
The goal was to rethink the space, preserve its mature foundation, and bring it to a cohesive, contemporary look.

Project Goals

— Create a comfortable, flowering garden for family living
— Restore and reorganize existing plantings
— Design a private pool area
— Replace outdated garden elements
— Resolve drainage and excess moisture issues
— Implement a new irrigation system with optimized water usage
— Design landscape lighting
— Structure the plot and define clear zoning

Solution

— Garden cleared: overgrown and non-decorative plants removed, some relocated
— Existing roses preserved, relocated to the pool area, pruned and restored
— Pool area redesigned:
• new paving for the sunbathing area
• circular pathway
• simplified and structured planting scheme
— Fountain replaced with a modern outdoor shower
— Sculpture integrated into a living hedge as a decorative focal point
— Green privacy screen created using layered planting
— Existing palm preserved on an elevated relief
A rock garden designed around it with stones, succulents, and shrubs
— Former vegetable garden transformed into a mini rock garden with aromatic herbs
(mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemon verbena, etc.)
— Planting scheme organized according to light conditions:
• shade: hydrangeas, ferns, philodendrons, alocasias
• sun: cycads, agaves, aloe, agapanthus
— Added fragrant and flowering accents: frangipani, lavender, roses
— Engineering works carried out:
• pool leakage fixed
• soil moisture reduced
• irrigation storage tank installed
• new irrigation lines implemented
• drainage and rainwater runoff system created
— Landscape lighting designed:
• everyday functional lighting
• decorative evening lighting

Results

— The garden became lighter, more structured, and contemporary while preserving its mature character
— The pool area transformed into a private and comfortable space
— Engineering issues resolved systematically (drainage, irrigation, moisture control)
— Plantings restored and unified into a cohesive composition
— The plot organized into functional zones with clear logic

Planning a new garden or renovating an existing one?

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I create gardens that become a place of well-being for the family

Svetlana Kolpak Sabirova (Shibanova)

I have been designing private gardens since 2005. I live and work in Marbella on the Costa del Sol and undertake projects both in Spain and internationally.

Three things matter equally to me in every project: how the garden looks, how it will be used and how it will function technically five or ten years from now.

I begin every project with a personal site visit. I need to see the land, understand the light and levels, listen to the client and understand how they intend to use the space.

For me, a good garden is not simply decoration around a house. It is a space that is genuinely used — in the morning and evening, with family and guests, or simply as a place to spend time outdoors.

Landscape design projects in Marbella, Estepona and the Costa del Sol

For more than twenty years, I have designed private gardens for villas, residential developments and terraces in Spain and internationally. Every project responds to a specific property, architecture, climate and way of using the outdoor space.

Bahía de Marbella, Marbella

Renovation of a Mature Villa Garden

Mature palms and trees, a fruit garden, flower beds and a rockery have added seasonal blooms and fragrance to the garden. The greenery on the terraces, balconies and roof ties the villa’s multi-level space into a single composition.

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Elviria, Marbella

Mediterranean garden with privacy and low maintenance

A private garden designed for a high degree of privacy, natural shade and drought-tolerant Mediterranean planting.

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Los Flamingos, Benahavís

Contemporary Mediterranean garden with fruit trees

A bright, flowering and fragrant garden. A secluded terrace area was created to provide privacy from neighbouring properties.

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Selwo, Estepona

Long-flowering, low-maintenance garden

A compact Mediterranean garden with artificial lawn and perennial planting flowering from spring through to autumn. Designed for a busy family with limited time for garden maintenance.

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Guadalmina Baja, Marbella

Tropical garden around the swimming pool

Palms, banana plants and fruit trees define the tropical character of the space. The garden was transformed into a functional outdoor area for relaxing and entertaining guests.

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Planning a new garden or renovating an existing one?

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