Bermuda has canyons crafted by tides and built by marine life and time. Though the islands of Bermuda were first made by volcanic activity, it is the coral reefs that make it unique. The palette of all the islands a full spectrum of pink sands, aqua waters, dark grey coral and lush green plants. Everything seeming to be melting into browns and yellows because of the heat and sunshine.
I’ve been to other islands and archipelagos around the world, but Bermuda stands out. The way it’s so close to the east coast of the US yet feels like it’s on the other side of the world is one. The architecture being influenced by Britain and Europe makes things feel familiar while the way Bermudian use local resources make everything seem unusual. Many of the plants grow throughout the US yet they are mixed with endemic species that only grow in Bermuda.
For me, the way the water invades everything makes it special. There’s never a point that you are not reminded that Bermuda is surrounded by ocean. The color of the water is amazing, but you can find the same color of seas in Punta Cana or Jamaica, but those places don’t have the near shore outcroppings of coral reef like Bermuda. I spent a day snorkeling off Elbow Beach and was amazed at how much marine life was less than a 100 yards from the sandy beach and tourists.
Nature is a mix of native and introduced flowers. Around every corner are flowers in bloom. Colorful hibiscus flowers are a favorite. Many, if not all of them, aren’t native to Bermuda. Hibiscus is a strong group of flowers. The rose mallow is a flower I use in yards and rain gardens all the time in New Jersey, and can survive the harsh winters. But in Bermuda with its mild summers (highs in the 80s) and winters (lows in the 60s) provide a landscape for a wide variety of hibiscus.
I’ve been to other islands and archipelagos around the world, but Bermuda stands out. The way it’s so close to the east coast of the US yet feels like it’s on the other side of the world is one. The architecture being influenced by Britain and Europe makes things feel familiar while the way Bermudian use local resources make everything seem unusual. Many of the plants grow throughout the US yet they are mixed with endemic species that only grow in Bermuda.
For me, the way the water invades everything makes it special. There’s never a point that you are not reminded that Bermuda is surrounded by ocean. The color of the water is amazing, but you can find the same color of seas in Punta Cana or Jamaica, but those places don’t have the near shore outcroppings of coral reef like Bermuda. I spent a day snorkeling off Elbow Beach and was amazed at how much marine life was less than a 100 yards from the sandy beach and tourists.
Nature is a mix of native and introduced flowers. Around every corner are flowers in bloom. Colorful hibiscus flowers are a favorite. Many, if not all of them, aren’t native to Bermuda. Hibiscus is a strong group of flowers. The rose mallow is a flower I use in yards and rain gardens all the time in New Jersey, and can survive the harsh winters. But in Bermuda with its mild summers (highs in the 80s) and winters (lows in the 60s) provide a landscape for a wide variety of hibiscus.
There’s a bounty of palm trees as well. They have the mighty palmetto, the state tree of South Carolina. The palmettos are a wonderful contrast to the banana trees that are everywhere.
Other palm trees grow 30 to 40ft tall atop the high coral cliffs. All of the palms made me want to start a indoor garden so I can cultivate them back home.
The seagrape grow like carpet along the coast. They soften the rough edges of the reefs exposed to the elements.
These grasses were at King's Wharf that is, by chance, on Ireland Island in Bermuda.
The grasses of Bermuda were exciting to see. Clumps of grass echo the plateaus of Irish shores.
This clump of grass is hidden inside the National Museum of Art. You have to hunt for it.
Other areas, most likely forgotten, grasses have grown tall and mixed with the seagrapes and other flowers of the area.
Maybe designed, maybe just by chance, views across the landscape allow you to see flowers, ocean and trees together in a vanishing sightline. The uniqueness and vibrancy of all the places truly makes them Bermudascapes, because they exist nowhere else.
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