We British tend to complain ceaselessly about the soil and aspect that fate has dealt our gardens, but we are fortunate that we do not experience the extremes of summer heat and winter cold that are the challenge for those who garden in southern Europe. One Spanish gardener who deals with both difficult soil and climate cheerfully and skillfully is Dolores Alfaro, the Marquesa de Canada Honda. With the help of London-based New Zealand garden designer, Christopher Masson, she has created a garden of calm tranquillity, cool space and considerable plant interest in a Madrid suburb.

Eleven years ago, Dolores started the process of remaking the garden, which surrounds her house in Conde de Orgaz Park. The idea was to develop a peaceful and secluded place for the family to enjoy. Doleres chose Christopher Masson because she knew some of his gardens and liked them all. As she explains, "I and very happy with my decision, because, as well as being a very good friend, he is a splendid professional with a profound knowledge." Christopher's brief was to provide good views from the house and to create a garden that could be enjoyed all year round.

Interestingly, although the climate in Madrid is what Dolores calls "problematic" - cold and dry from November to February, and reaching 40°C in summer - the greatest challenge for the garden owner and designer was the creation of different focal points. Dolores also wished for different "atmospheres" of "the scents, colours and harmony of nature". Her favourite time of year is the spring, when plants are beginning to shoot, whereas she guesses that Christopher likes it best in winter, when the evergreens have recently been clipped and the structure is most visible.