How to grow a Mediterranean garden.
A Mediterranean garden abounds with colour, contrast and heady aromas of lavender, rosemary and mint. And if you plan it properly your Med beds can require little upkeep.
Evergreen shrubs form the bulk of plantings in a Mediterranean garden providing reliable interest. Shrubs may stop flowering but they look good all summer and provide a variety of texture and form.
Many drought tolerant Mediterranean plants are those you'll have on a list for planning a dry garden.
In late winter in a Mediterranean garden you’ll often see acacias and citrus trees in their full glory; in spring crocuses, ornamental grasses, annuals and cistus take centre stage, and into the summer it’s bougainvilleas, pelargoniums, scented herbs, oleander and olive trees that we’re most familiar with.
Then, in Autumn, there’s a smaller burst of beauty with the likes of cyclamen and fall crocuses, with rosemary often flowering the year round, and architectural palms adding height and glamor.
Classic plant choices for a Mediterranean garden include:
Olive trees • Citrus plants • Agave • Agapanthus
• Lavender • Rosemary • Herbs • Pelargoniums
• Bougainvillea • Palms • Cypress • Yuccas
Many drought tolerant Mediterranean plants are those you'll have on a list for planning a dry garden.
In late winter in a Mediterranean garden you’ll often see acacias and citrus trees in their full glory; in spring crocuses, ornamental grasses, annuals and cistus take centre stage, and into the summer it’s bougainvilleas, pelargoniums, scented herbs, oleander and olive trees that we’re most familiar with.
Then, in Autumn, there’s a smaller burst of beauty with the likes of cyclamen and fall crocuses, with rosemary often flowering the year round, and architectural palms adding height and glamor.
Classic plant choices for a Mediterranean garden include:
Olive trees • Citrus plants • Agave • Agapanthus
• Lavender • Rosemary • Herbs • Pelargoniums
• Bougainvillea • Palms • Cypress • Yuccas
How to plant in a Mediterranean garden
Spring is an ideal time for planting a Mediterranean garden, when the soil has warmed up a little, and to avoid the root rot after wet, cold winters.
Mediterranean plants have evolved to enjoy long, sunny days, where excellent light quality is key, so avoid planting in the shade of large trees.
A south-facing site in the Northern Hemisphere (north facing in the Southern Hemisphere) that enjoys sun all day, protected from the elements, is ideal. Mediterranean plants generally prefer nutrient-poor soil, so avoid feeding the soil. Prune and clip rosemary, lavender and cistus after flowering to avoid them becoming woody. Many drought tolerant plants will form communities of plants and a key to this style is repeating planting of just a few choices, rather than lots of variety.
A sunny slope is ideal for creating a Mediterranean garden style as the drought tolerant plants prefer free-draining soil, but any sunny area will work well. Make the most of dry soil conditions by planting a combination of Stipa gigantea cotton lavender, catmint, salvia and small hebes.
The irrigated lawn has no place in the Mediterranean, so it is stone, sand and gravel that create the space for a garden to breathe. Gravel and warm-toned paving are typical of Mediterranean garden style, with terraces created for outdoor dining. These can be softened with ground cover and an assortment of containers.
Spring is an ideal time for planting a Mediterranean garden, when the soil has warmed up a little, and to avoid the root rot after wet, cold winters.
Mediterranean plants have evolved to enjoy long, sunny days, where excellent light quality is key, so avoid planting in the shade of large trees.
A south-facing site in the Northern Hemisphere (north facing in the Southern Hemisphere) that enjoys sun all day, protected from the elements, is ideal. Mediterranean plants generally prefer nutrient-poor soil, so avoid feeding the soil. Prune and clip rosemary, lavender and cistus after flowering to avoid them becoming woody. Many drought tolerant plants will form communities of plants and a key to this style is repeating planting of just a few choices, rather than lots of variety.
A sunny slope is ideal for creating a Mediterranean garden style as the drought tolerant plants prefer free-draining soil, but any sunny area will work well. Make the most of dry soil conditions by planting a combination of Stipa gigantea cotton lavender, catmint, salvia and small hebes.
The irrigated lawn has no place in the Mediterranean, so it is stone, sand and gravel that create the space for a garden to breathe. Gravel and warm-toned paving are typical of Mediterranean garden style, with terraces created for outdoor dining. These can be softened with ground cover and an assortment of containers.
Create relaxed, informal spaces, surrounded by textural, fragrant planting and rustic detailing. Terraced levels with stone walls, natural stone paving and limewashed walls are also common, or inject some colour and pattern with mosaic details in walls, step risers or patios.
Creating shade in a Mediterranean garden
The Mediterranean climate is defined by the summer sun so pergolas and other shady places are an important part of the Mediterranean garden, providing respite from the intense bright light and heat. Flowering climbers or evergreen climbers can be trained over a pergola or arbour to add shade, scent and beautiful blooms. Market umbrellas are another way of adding shade and can be packed away safely in a shed during winter.
Using pots in a Mediterranean garden
Terracotta pots filled with zingy, vibrant flowers, citrus trees or architectural palms or yucca plants are hallmarks of a Mediterranean garden. Include containers in various sizes, smaller pots for lining walls and displaying in groups, and large, oversized containers to make a statement as part of a courtyard. Ensure containers have good drainage and fill the bottom of the pots with crocs or stones before adding the compost to aid drainage. Position the pots in a sunny, sheltered area of the garden, and water only when the compost feels dry. The tender plants can then be moved indoors for winter if you live in cooler climates. Plant pots with colourful pelargoniums and freshly-leaved succulents to suggest the spirit of a Greek balcony.
Use a tree, such as an olive or a hardy palm as a focal point, then add shrubs and perennials, such as the Portuguese laurel, euphorbias and genista. Plant fragrant flowers like jasmine and lavender – as their perfumes are released, they’ll conjure up happy memories of sun-baked escapes.
Or you could transform a sun-baked seating area into an Italian-inspired terrace, surrounding it with herbs like oregano, thyme and bay.
Creating shade in a Mediterranean garden
The Mediterranean climate is defined by the summer sun so pergolas and other shady places are an important part of the Mediterranean garden, providing respite from the intense bright light and heat. Flowering climbers or evergreen climbers can be trained over a pergola or arbour to add shade, scent and beautiful blooms. Market umbrellas are another way of adding shade and can be packed away safely in a shed during winter.
Using pots in a Mediterranean garden
Terracotta pots filled with zingy, vibrant flowers, citrus trees or architectural palms or yucca plants are hallmarks of a Mediterranean garden. Include containers in various sizes, smaller pots for lining walls and displaying in groups, and large, oversized containers to make a statement as part of a courtyard. Ensure containers have good drainage and fill the bottom of the pots with crocs or stones before adding the compost to aid drainage. Position the pots in a sunny, sheltered area of the garden, and water only when the compost feels dry. The tender plants can then be moved indoors for winter if you live in cooler climates. Plant pots with colourful pelargoniums and freshly-leaved succulents to suggest the spirit of a Greek balcony.
Use a tree, such as an olive or a hardy palm as a focal point, then add shrubs and perennials, such as the Portuguese laurel, euphorbias and genista. Plant fragrant flowers like jasmine and lavender – as their perfumes are released, they’ll conjure up happy memories of sun-baked escapes.
Or you could transform a sun-baked seating area into an Italian-inspired terrace, surrounding it with herbs like oregano, thyme and bay.
