Home » Misc » Mediterranean container garden

Mediterranean container garden


Mediterranean garden ideas: 14 gorgeous ways to plant and style your plot

(Image credit: Alamy)

Our favorite Mediterranean garden ideas will bring a flavor of hot, sunny climes straight to your outdoor space. And, as it turns out, recreating the look is much easier than you might think.

In fact, many of the plants we already grow in our plots originate in hot countries. So, adding a Mediterranean vibe could simply be a question of arranging and adding to what you already have to highlight the theme. But it's not all about the plants – from rich color schemes and soothing water features to shaded alfresco dining zones, Mediterranean garden ideas inspire relaxed, outdoor living all year round.

Want to know more? Read on for easy ways to add a touch of the Med to your space, then head to our garden design ideas for more outdoor inspiration. 

 What is a Mediterranean garden style?

Line a pathway with Mediterranean-style planting

(Image credit: Alamy)

Pale gravel, tiled patios and walls painted in vibrant shades of terracotta, mustard, azure blue and white all instantly conjure up the mood of these sun-soaked spaces. Plant with fragrant and silver-leaved beauties such as santolina, Caryopteris clandonensis, artemesia and of course – lavender and add in potted feature plants such as a stately Chusan palm or olive tree. 

Scented and glossy leaved climbers clambering over a pergola will provide shade for an atmospheric spot for dining. And, dotted with flickering lanterns come evening it will be hard to recall whether you are at home or away.

These Mediterranean garden ideas below will fill you with even more inspiration...

1. Add a Tuscan-inspired outdoor kitchen

Wall painted in 'Tuscan Red 140'  intelligent masonry paint, and table legs and plant pot in 'Grey Teal 226' intelligent exterior eggshell, both by Little Greene

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Rustic-style outdoor kitchen ideas are a surefire way to recreate the Mediterranean vibe. Pair deep terracotta details with pared-back furniture and decorative paving and your space will instantly be transported to sunnier climes. Cover the space with a wooden pergola for a more sheltered feel.

Of course, one of the best pizza ovens will make a wonderful addition, too.

2. Use repeat planting for your Mediterranean garden ideas

Potted pelargoniums make a vibrant impact for Mediterranean garden ideas

(Image credit: Isabel Pavia/Getty Images)

Unlike English cottage garden ideas, which tend to be a wonderful jumble of plants, Mediterranean garden ideas require a restricted planting palette with the same plant used repeatedly.

The plants used in this way often have a neat, mound-like growing habit – lavender and santolina, for example. After they've flowered, closely trim them and they will carry on adding architectural interest right though the year. Tightly clipped mounds of box, grouped in clusters or arranged in a row alongside a path, add just the right note too.

Try also repeating cistus, eryngium, hebe and euphorbia though the space. Euphorbia mellifera is a large evergreen that has small, amber-colored flowers in early summer. For even more impact, go for Euphorbia wulfenii – it has big, acid-green flowers in early summer and can be a real show-stopper. 

Alternatively, Euphorbia cyparissias is very useful en masse as ground cover. With fern-like foliage and yellow flowers that last right though the summer months, it's low-growing and will spread slowly and manageably. 

In a fairly large garden, narrow, upright Italian cypress trees look good planted at intervals along a pathway or used as punctuation points in a border (and although a less obvious source of fragrance, they give off a lovely pine scent when you brush against them).

Mediterranean garden ideas are made complete with a mass of potted pelargoniums. Use these vibrant beauties to liven up dull corners, a flight of steps or to pep up borders of silver-leaved stars such as lavender and rosemary. Although there are plenty of vivid shades to choose from, stick to the same color for maximum impact. 

3. Choose low-maintenance gravel

Gravel gardens work well for Mediterranean garden ideas

(Image credit: Alamy)

Nothing sets off Mediterranean plants better than pale-colored gravel. And, if you use a good-quality, water-permeable weed-suppressing membrane underneath, it's a quick and easy, low-maintenance way of transforming even the most unpromising of spaces. 

The light color of the gravel will help to reflect heat back onto the plants and you can soften the edges where gravel meets a pathway by allowing thyme, oregano or marjoram to spill over onto it. Cut them back as soon as they’ve flowered to keep them looking neat and fresh, and to prevent them sprawling too far. Add extra interest by arranging large stones and small boulders in a naturalistic way across the gravel. Contributing to the relaxed and easy vibe of Mediterranean gardens, pale gravel is also perfect for showing off tall, sun loving plants and vibrant blooms. Our small rock garden ideas feature has lots more inspiration.

Opt for angular chippings between 10mm and 20mm for garden path ideas or areas where you are likely to walk, as this size is less likely to get caught in wheels and under shoes. Finer shingle, measuring between 6mm to 8mm, is perfect for spreading around plants and on borders.

4. Create some shade for your seating

Set-up from John Lewis

(Image credit: John Lewis)

The best Mediterranean gardens have somewhere shady to retreat to when the sun gets too hot. Using a sturdy pergola over your patio ideas is the perfect way to recreate this at home. 

It's the ideal opportunity to introduce climbers to your scheme too, making the most of the often-overlooked vertical space in a garden. Try a grapevine, which will look fabulous when its fat, juicy bunches of grapes hang down over your seating area in late summer. Be sure to choose a sweet dessert variety – 'Leon Millot' is ideal. Or, train a stunning campsis (Campsis radicans) with its large, brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers, over the structure. The hardy variety 'Madame Galen' is a good choice.

Finish the scene with some stylish garden furniture ideas – you'll have the perfect space to relax and entertain friends alfresco in no time.

5. Paint pergolas black

Pergola painted with Protek wood stain

(Image credit: Protek/Justin Coakley/@design_at_nineteen)

Painting the timbers of your pergola ideas black will not only add drama and structure to your Mediterranean garden ideas but is great for highlighting climbers too.

Star Jasmine (Trachelospernum Jasminoides) will cover a pergola in no time and fill the seating area with a delicious scent, evocative of sun filled vacations. The glossy leaves are evergreen too, so perfect for added winter interest. 

If you fancy something less delicate, you can't beat a passion flower (Passiflora caerulea). The striking star shaped blooms are also fragrant and followed with egg-size orange and yellow fruit in Autumn. Try variety 'Constance Eliott' for pure white flowers with striking stamens – it'll make a wonderful contrast against dark backdrops.

6. Go large with Mediterranean-inspired pots

Agapanthus will grow really well in a pot rather than in the open ground 

(Image credit: Alamy )

Oversized pots and planters are characteristic of Mediterranean garden ideas and terracotta is the obvious choice, with its warm color, tactile feel and ability to soak up and reflect back the heat of the summer sun. Be sure to invest in frost-proof terracotta though. It's a little more expensive, but it will make it through cold winters unscathed whereas cheaper versions may shatter as soon as the thermometer dips below freezing.

Choose plants for your pots carefully. True Mediterranean-style choices will not only look the part, but they'll also be able to cope with near-drought conditions, meaning you’ll need to spend far less time wielding a watering can or best garden hose over the summer. Colorful pelargoniums are ideal (red or shocking pink varieties look stunning against the pinky tones of terracotta pots) and osteospermums and gazanias both work well too. These are all tender, so will need bringing into a cool, frost-free greenhouse or porch over the winter.

One plant that does better in a pot than in the open ground is agapanthus, making it an ideal candidate for a large terracotta urn. Opt for a variety with either pale or dark blue flowers, or go for icy white. Whichever one you choose will instantly add a touch of Mediterranean sophistication.

Fig trees produce more fruit when their roots are confined in a pot too – and what better way to remember a fabulous holiday abroad than being able to pluck a perfectly ripe fig, still warm from the sun, from your very own tree?

If you're short of planting space, bay trees are happy in large pots – and they have the added bonus that their aromatic leaves can be used fresh or dried in Mediterranean-style cooking too.

Looking for more inspiration? Head over to our container gardening ideas feature.

 

7. ...and use them to make a focal point

Paint pots as part of your Mediterranean garden ideas for an eye-catching twist

(Image credit: itsabreeze photography/Getty Images)

If terracotta feels a little 'meh' for your space, why not treat your pots to a splash of color? We love the deep cobalt blue and sunny yellow tones in the set-up above.

Masonry paint is your best bet for this job, try Little Greene’s 'Mambo' for a vivid shade of Med blue or their 'Route One ' if a dash of turquoise is more your thing.

Fill with tumbling herbs and foliage plants such as delicate asparagus ferns (Asparagus aethiopicus syn. Asparagus densiflorus) and purple leaved Tradescantia – try Zebrina 'Violet' for stunning color – for a real head-turning focal point.

8. Choose Mediterranean plants for your garden

Echinops add structure to Mediterranean garden ideas

(Image credit: David Burton/Getty Images)

The foliage of plants native to hot countries is often silver-colored and there's a reason for this. It deflects the burning heat of the sun and helps them to conserve water. 

While that may not be so vital when we grow them in a cooler climate, the great thing about silvery foliage is that it looks good on its own but also partners well with other colors, so it's a perfect starting point for a border. 

Try these to bring an instant flavor of Mediterranean gardens to your outdoor space:

Looking for more flowerbed ideas? Take a look at our feature.

9. Mix in some Mediterranean colors

Wall painted in 'Smalt 255' intelligent masonry paint and chair in 'French Grey – Mid 162' intelligent exterior eggshell, both from Little Greene

(Image credit: Little Greene)

In hot countries, pastels and ochres look fantastic as the backdrop to plants. But, in countries like the UK where the skies can be grey as often as blue, these tones can look a little washed out. So, when it comes to your Mediterranean garden ideas, consider ramping things up a notch or two when it comes to painting walls, garden fence ideas and shed ideas by introducing a vibrant color. Mid-blue works well, as does purple. Don't overdo it, though. Most of your color should come from the planting itself and the backdrop shouldn't fight with that.

Painting a single wall or alcove a vibrant shade is often enough to conjure up that hot and sultry Mediterranean mood. Use it as a backdrop to show off a single stately palm or tree or add rustic timber shelves to line up potted treasures. As Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene says, 'You don't need to revamp the whole facade to make an impact, a simple update such as painting an exterior wall to offset patio furniture can make the whole home feel renewed.'

'"Carmine " or "Smalt " look fantastic paired with green foliage and terracotta pots, or update a tired brick wall with "Ashes of Roses " which is a fantastic color for adding a warm Mediterranean feel to any exterior,' she adds.

Raw and tactile materials such as brick, limestone and acacia will intensify the color further and help create a permanently sunny and laidback vibe.

10. Improve your soil

Heavy soil isn't ideal for Mediterranean gardens. Opt for raised beds or large containers instead

(Image credit: Alamy)

If your garden has light, sandy soil, you're all set. But drought-loving plants for Mediterranean gardens hate sitting in cold, wet ground over winter, so if your garden is on clay it's best to mix in plenty of gravel before you start as this will help with drainage. 

Where frequent waterlogging is likely, it’s best to put plants in pots or in raised garden beds rather than in the ground.

11. Opt for fragrant herbs

Rosemary is a lovely addition as part of your Mediterranean garden ideas

(Image credit: Rosmarie Wirz/Getty Images)

On a Mediterranean hillside in high summer, the first thing that hits you is usually the wonderful scent of lavender and thyme. By positioning them in full sun, so the essential oils in the foliage will be drawn out to the max, they will quickly fill your garden with their aroma too.

Other woody herbs such as rosemary, sage and winter savory (which has a similar fragrance – and flavour – to thyme) also work well. Plant them next to a path or seating area so you can enjoy the delicious scent, or pot up smaller herbs such as thyme, marjoram and oregano to display on an outdoor dining table.

Need a hand getting started? Check out our guide on how to create a herb garden.

Try a potted palm with your Mediterranean garden ideas for a burst of green

(Image credit: Alamy)

If you have space, an olive tree works brilliantly as a focal point. Although they grow on sun-baked hillsides in the Med, they will cope with a cool winter in a sheltered spot. If you live in a colder climate, it's best to grow an olive tree in a pot and bring it under cover once the weather begins to turn in autumn.

Hardy palms and yuccas lend an instant Mediterranean vibe to the space too, or how about the feathery foliage of a tamarisk with its froth of pink flowers in summer? In spring, you could have a similar cloud of pink with a Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum), which will be smothered in small, pea-like flowers on bare branches in April and May.

If you love the idea of blossom, be sure to take a look at our guide on the best flowering trees.

13.

Or, try planting a citrus tree

Orange or lemon trees make wonderful additions to Mediterranean garden ideas. Set-up from John Lewis

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Citrus trees with their delicious scent and iconic fruit simply ooze Mediterranean charm. Happy to grow in pots, most varieties of orange and lemon can stay outside where temperatures are above 10°C, although kumquats can tolerate temperatures as low as 7°C. 

Move them into a greenhouse or conservatory during colder snaps. They are naturally hungry plants, so pot them up with specialist citrus compost and feed with a high nitrogen feed during the summer.

14. Try a soothing water feature

Water feature from A Place In The Garden

(Image credit: A Place in the Garden)

If water can play a key part in your Mediterranean garden ideas, so much the better. Its presence will add a cooling feel and the sound of it gently trickling over a surface is extremely relaxing.

Self-contained water features are hassle free and perfect for gardens big or small. Choose a freestanding design for the perfect centrepiece that can be enjoyed from all sides, or a neat back-to-wall fountain, such as this design above, which is ideal for courtyards and seating areas. Complete with a concealed reservoir and recirculating submersible pump – most designs simply plug into an outdoor power point.

Find more inspiration in our water feature ideas feature.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and is lucky to be able to write about her two main passions: gardening and food. She recently took on an allotment too, and is really loving growing all her own fruit and veg then bringing it home to try out in new recipes for her food and gardening blog, A Cook's Plot .

7 hacks to create a Mediterranean garden – Wise Living Magazine

If your Mediterranean holiday looks uncertain this summer, why not create a Mediterranean garden so you can enjoy long, sunny days and hot, balmy nights at home – weather permitting of course.

Enjoy a Mediterranean garden with beautiful flower pots and potted plants.

Those with fast-draining or sandy soil may be in an ideal spot to create their own Mediterranean haven, going with gravel, tiles or paving to make a courtyard-style space rather than focusing on a water-guzzling lawn.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tackle unruly hedges with a petrol hedge trimmer to ensure a polished overall look and to avoid any overgrown hedging from crowding your new Mediterranean garden. 

So, how can you get that Mediterranean feel?

1. Use terracotta planters


Use terracotta to create a Mediterranean feel (Guy Harrop/RHS/PA)

Think bright pink or red trailing geraniums tumbling over old terracotta or stone pots, or if you’ve limited space, attach some smaller terracotta planters to a south-facing wall and fill them with trailing drought-lovers which won’t need endless watering.

Alternatively, make a feature out of huge Grecian urns strategically placed in borders or as stand-alone features at the end of walkways or in the centre of small courtyards.

Plunge pots into gravel to encourage them to root (Thinkstock/PA)

Permanent planters in the Mediterranean garden can also save you time, whether it be agapanthus or hardy evergreen herbs. If you situate them on gravel, plunge the base of each container a few centimetres into the gravel, which will encourage plants to root through into the soil underneath as well as keeping your pot stable.

Consider citrus if you have room to house it in winter (Thinkstock/PA)

If you have space – and somewhere to house them in winter, such as a conservatory – consider growing a pot of citrus such as lemons, to add a Mediterranean feel and scent.

Bougainvillea adds colour to the scene (Thinkstock/PA)

You can grow dazzling bougainvillea in containers and bring it outside every summer, from early June to late September, then move it to a frost-free conservatory for winter.

Biscottini Terracotta vase 40x40x30 cm | Terracotta pots large Made in Italy | Large floor vases |. ARTISAN VASE - Handcrafted with Tuscan...

Last update on 2022-11-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Consider gravel or cool tiles


Think about gravel as a base (Neil Hepworth/RHS/PA)

Gravel gardens are commonplace in the Mediterranean and in this country the gravel surface acts as a permanent mulch which will help prevent seed seedlings and conserves moisture.

Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and prepare the soil, raking it level and then spreading 5cm (2in) gravel over the surface.

Plant sparingly – don’t smother the gravel surface with plants. They can be placed here and there and perhaps embellished with stone or terracotta planters or an old wooden or stone bench.

Avoid thirsty plants (Mark Bolton/RHS/PA)

Avoid bedding plants which are too thirsty. Instead, grow exotic-looking shrubs such as phormium and olearia or grasses with silvery leaves, as well as ground cover such as sedum and thyme.

3. Incorporate water


Water has a cooling effect (Thinkstock/PA)

Water creates cool relief in hot countries and can be used not only to provide movement, but also reflective value. Stone fountains are a big feature of many Mediterranean gardens but at home, consider your surroundings.

Use of tiles and water is common in Mediterranean gardens (Thinkstok/PA)

If you have plenty of room, you might go for an ornate tiered structure, providing a cool cascade of water which you can run your hands through. With less space you might go for still water in a terracotta storage jar or a lined stone trough.

Sale

SEINHIJO Outdoor Floor Water Fountain 95cm High 2-Tier Baroque Garden Cascading Waterfall for Yard...

Last update on 2022-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Create shade

Any Mediterranean garden worth its salt should offer shade during the heat of the day. Consider how you are going to achieve that naturally. Perhaps grow climbers that love heat, such as grapevine and trumpet vine, over a pergola with traditional seating underneath.

Sale

Dunster House Wooden Pergola Garden Shade Kit Utopia (W2m x D2m)

Last update on 2022-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5.

Use drought-tolerant plants
Rock roses are great for sunny spots (Tim Sandall/RHS/PA)

Peter Jones, garden manager for Hardy Ornamental (which include the Mediterranean terraces at RHS Garden Wisley) suggests cistus (rock rose), a lovely family of shrubs ideal for a hot sunny position, which will form mounds of green foliage and a profusion of simple flowers, from whites to deep pink.

Other great plants which will thrive in long hot summers include lavender, while for architectural value consider Cupressus sempervirens (Pencil Cypress) one of the archetypal Mediterranean trees, which grows to produce a tall slender green pillar of evergreen interest, perfect for that Med look.

Use plants like bougainvillea and fig in pots (Mark Bolton/RHS/PA)

Lagerstroemia indica (Crepe myrtle), which is rarely grown in the UK but quite suited to our climate, is a multi stemmed shrub/small tree with beautiful bark and glossy green foliage producing a profusion of crepe paper like flowers in colours from light pink to deep burgundy.

Another alternative is the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum), which originated in the region extending from modern day Iran through Afghanistan and Pakistan to northern India, and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.

This architectural small tree can make a fun alternative to an olive, with larger specimens having very characterful form.

Palms add an exotic touch (Georgi Mabee/RHS/PA)

Palms such as Trachycarpus fortunei also add that touch of Riviera glamour.

6. Don’t forget succulents


Sempervivums are terrific succulents (Hannah Stephenson/PA)

Cacti and succulents are regular features in the Mediterranean garden, growing out of old stone walls and rockwork. If you have a gravel gap between your house and your paving, a strip of sempervivums or other succulents will soften the line beautifully.

Succulent Mix - 20 Plants - House/Office Live Indoor Pot Plant

Last update on 2022-11-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Use simple décor


Rustic furniture suits Mediterranean gardens (Thinkstock/PA)

Once you are surrounded by terracotta and old stone or tile landscaping, you don’t really want contemporary, shiny furniture. Choose simple wooden benches or seats which will weather with age, to fit with the look.

And grow herbs such as thyme and oregano near seating areas, which will smell delicious as well as add to the flavour of the food you serve your guests.

Read more: How to conserve water in the garden – 11 water-recycling tips for your plot.

Best-selling terracotta planters

Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling terracotta planters on Amazon.

SaleBestseller No. 1

Large Ceramic Plant Pot Strawberry Terracotta Planter Clay Flower Pot (h42cm)

Bestseller No. 2

Sass & Belle Frida Terracotta Large Planter

Bestseller No. 3

Sass & Belle Terracotta Trough Planter

SaleBestseller No. 4

Thirtypot 25CM Terracotta Planter, Large Round Succulent Planter Pot with Drainage Hole and Bamboo...

Bestseller No. 5

Sass & Belle Large Terracotta Planter with Heart

Last update on 2022-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You may be interested in…

This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mediterranean style garden: 20 examples for inspiration!

A Mediterranean style garden can be described as sunny, warm, bright, fragrant, natural and comfortable.

Definitely, such a garden is created for enjoying life, relaxation and pleasure. Since the Mediterranean style arose in a hot climate, it is natural that in such gardens there are many places with shading, cozy patios, pools and terraces, flower beds with herbs and climbing plants.

The Mediterranean is quite a vast region, so gardens of this style often differ from each other.

If you have long dreamed of such a fragrant corner. And we would like to learn more about what such gardens are like, what kind of plants are grown there, and what methods designers achieve similarities with the natural zone of the Mediterranean, then we tried not in vain. Come on in, it's going to be interesting!

Italian garden

For example, gardens in Italy have a classic look and are based on a strict layout. It uses clear geometric shapes, symmetry, straight paths and regular-shaped ponds.

The garden is divided into different areas, which are separated from each other by hedges or rectangular pergolas with climbing roses, clematis, tekoma and other climbing plants.

Italian gardens are usually located on a complex terrain of hills, on terraces, have retaining walls and paths made of natural stone. Various decorative elements are also made of stone: fountains, fences, grottoes, stairs, benches and balustrades.

Mediterranean gardens often feature columns, stone flower containers or antique amphorae, some surfaces are decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures. Here you can find evergreen boxwoods and arborvitae in the form of spirals or balls. Topiary art is characteristic of many classical gardens.

Provence mediterranean garden

French mediterranean gardens have a free design, characteristic of Provence and country styles. There are no clear lines here, the plants are arranged naturally, and a delightful aroma of lavender and herbs spreads over the garden.

Lavender is everywhere in this garden: in containers and flower beds, along the paths and instead of the lawn, as well as a wonderful companion for roses and other plants.

Garden furniture, most often elegant wrought iron: screens for climbing plants, bridges, fences, chairs and benches with soft cushions. Guess what kind of embroideries adorn these pillows? Of course, these are images of lavender and roosters, which are also symbols of Provence.

Greek style garden

To convey the atmosphere of Greece, use azure, dazzling white, olive, terracotta colors in the design of the garden. If there is a need to update garden buildings or furniture, feel free to use paints of these shades.

Residents of Greece spend a lot of time outdoors: socialize, dine, relax. Therefore, they equip their garden accordingly: there are many cozy seating areas located on terraces, patios are often covered from the sun with pergolas and awnings, and a large dining table and chairs are always present in the set of garden furniture.

The Mediterranean style of such a garden will be emphasized by wicker furniture made of rattan, bamboo or wicker.

Decorate the windows of summer buildings in the garden with light, light curtains or blinds, they will protect from the sun at noon.

Conifers (arborvitae, junipers, boxwoods) can become the basis of your garden. Against the background of conifers, the rest of the flowers and plants of bright colors and shapes look great.

If some of the conifers in your climate do not winter outdoors, use container plants. This will allow them to be preserved in the winter, and container plants can also be rearranged at will and quickly change the look of the garden.

Herbs will complete the decoration:

They can be planted in flowerbeds, flowerpots, hanging pots, and even gathered in bunches and hung to dry on windows or buildings.

Flowers and plants

Mediterranean plants immediately create an incredible atmosphere of the south and fill the air with the aromas of lavender, fragrant herbs and pine needles. We select flowers and plants for our garden:

Conifers - thuja Smaragd, cypress, boxwood, juniper virgin and rocky. Various topiary forms of conifers (ball, spiral, cone).

Container plants - lemon, orange, fig, olive, pomegranate, oleander, laurel, palm. In our gardens, these plants do not overwinter in the open field, but they are often used as containers.

Creepers - climbing roses, wisteria, clematis, tekoma (kampsis), parthenocissus, several varieties of honeysuckle, bougainvillea. You can't do without these plants, creating shady areas in the garden. The tekoma (kampsis) is noteworthy - this vine is very powerful, its lashes reach several meters in length and are able to hide any large surface or structure. Its bright orange and yellow bell flowers are unforgettable.

Ornamental shrubs - barberry (common, Thunberga), holly mahonia, spirea, forsythia, weigela, David's budley.

Flowers and herbs - roses, cannes, lavender, spring bulbs (narcissus, hyacinth, crocus), greyish-blue carnation, cyclamen, fescue, sapling, maritime cineraria, woolly chiste, sage, lupine, delphinium.

Herbs - a special element of the Mediterranean garden - basil, thyme, lavender, hyssop, oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary.

The most popular plants in a Mediterranean garden will always be palms, pistachio, olive and citrus trees.

Garden decor

Notable Mediterranean garden decor:

Mediterranean style in landscape design.

Mediterranean-style gardens belong to the group of ethnic gardens. Today, it is one of the most popular. Unfortunately, it is used even where the plants characteristic of this style simply cannot withstand our frosts. But in order to create a Mediterranean-style atmosphere in the garden, it is enough to correctly use the available range of plants, adapted to our conditions.

The Mediterranean style is very similar to the Moorish style in terms of construction: a small plot, a blind fence, a small backyard patio. But in many Mediterranean gardens, the front gardens are made open with a view of the sea, and the task is not to close the beautiful view. The most important rule when creating such gardens is to create a comfortable atmosphere conducive to serene relaxation and fun.

An interesting feature of the compositional solution of gardens of this style is the absence of a pronounced center of the composition. Each element of the garden performs a strictly assigned function and may not have a clearly defined relationship with other elements.

An important place in the design of Mediterranean-style gardens is the arrangement of areas for relaxation, unity with nature and contemplation of its boundlessness and beauty. For this, gazebos and verandas are built in such gardens.

Barbecue areas are usually located next to the seating area, and the recently popular stone braziers fit best into this style. Especially if pergolas or openwork lattices entwined with grapes or other climbing plants are located nearby.

The Mediterranean style is characterized by the presence of small architectural forms. Courtyards and patios in this style are usually laid out with ceramic tiles imitating the color of clay or light-colored stone, the use of different types of stone of natural origin, as well as pebbles and marble chips, is typical. The presence of water or its noise is mandatory. This role is well played by fountains, which can be made in various forms.

The preferred color scheme is a combination of terracotta, blue, light blue, yellow, violet and white.

Popular items in the Mediterranean style are arches, pergolas, statues and their fragments, pottery and other elements depicting people, animals, heroes of myths and legends.

Citrus and olive trees, luxurious pines and cypresses - these are the plants that first come to mind when mentioning Mediterranean-style gardens, but, unfortunately, they do not withstand the climatic conditions of our zone. But you can always find a way out and plant plants in containers and large pots.

At first glance, it may seem that the care of a Mediterranean-style garden will require a lot of trouble, but this is not entirely true - gardens of this style allow some carelessness and neglect. When arranging such a garden, you can easily do without exotic plant species that require planting in containers, and use our plants that are able to winter in open ground.

In our climatic zone, the most common 5-leafed girl's grape - it does not require special care and is able to fill the available space in a few years.

Learn more