What Are The Best Plants For A Mediterranean Garden?
Creating a Mediterranean garden might seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of knowledge and some hard work, the end result will be well worth the effort. First things first, we need to understand what a Mediterranean garden is and what elements are needed to achieve the desired look.
What is a Mediterranean Garden?
A Mediterranean garden is a garden-style inspired by the region around the Mediterranean Sea. The region has a warm, subtropical climate and a variety of plants that thrive in that environment. The main elements of a Mediterranean garden include:
- Warm Colors: A Mediterranean garden often incorporates warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow. These colors are representative of the warm, sunny climate of the Mediterranean region.
- Natural Materials: A Mediterranean garden features natural materials such as stone, terracotta, and wood. These materials are often used for pathways, walls, and garden beds.
- Mediterranean Plants: A Mediterranean garden features plants that are native to the Mediterranean region. These plants can include olive trees, citrus trees, lavender, and rosemary.
- Water Features: Water features such as fountains or pools are essential to a Mediterranean garden. These features not only add a beautiful focal point to the garden but also serve to cool down the area during the warm summer months.
Creating a Mediterranean Garden
Creating a Mediterranean garden can be broken down into several steps:
1. Start with the hardscaping
The first step in creating a Mediterranean garden is to start with the hardscaping. This includes creating the pathways, garden beds, and walls. As mentioned before, natural materials such as stone, terracotta, and wood should be used.
2. Add a water feature
Once the hardscaping is in place, it's time to add a water feature. A fountain or pool will add a beautiful focal point to the garden while also serving to cool down the area during the warm summer months.
3. Add Mediterranean plants
Now that the hardscaping and water feature are in place, it's time to start adding Mediterranean plants. Some popular plants to consider include:
- Olive Tree: Olive trees can add a beautiful element to a Mediterranean garden with their silvery-green leaves and gnarled trunks.
- Citrus Tree: Citrus trees are a staple of Mediterranean gardens. Not only do they provide a beautiful visual element, but their fruit can also be used in cooking and baking.
- Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant herb that is commonly found in Mediterranean gardens. It not only adds a beautiful pop of purple to the garden but also has a calming effect on those who smell it.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is another fragrant herb that is commonly found in Mediterranean gardens. It not only adds a beautiful visual element but is also perfect for seasoning food.
4. Add Warm Colors
Adding warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow can really bring a Mediterranean garden to life. Consider adding vibrant-colored flowers such as hibiscus and bougainvillea to your garden.
5. Make sure to utilize sun-loving plants
Mediterranean gardens are typically planted in areas that receive plenty of sunlight. Make sure to plant sun-loving plants to ensure that your garden thrives. Some sun-loving plants to consider include:
- Agave: Agave is a succulent that thrives in sunlight and requires little water.
- Bougainvillea: Bougainvillea is a plant that comes in a variety of colors and is known for its vibrant blooms.
- Crape Myrtle: Crape myrtle is a tree that produces beautiful pink or white blooms during the summer months.
6. Create a seating area
No Mediterranean garden is complete without a seating area. Consider adding a table and chairs or even a hammock so that you can sit outside and enjoy your garden.
In Conclusion
Creating a Mediterranean garden takes a bit of hard work but the end result is well worth it. Start by incorporating natural materials such as stone, terracotta, and wood. Add a water feature to create a beautiful focal point in your garden. Plant Mediterranean plants such as olive trees, Citrus trees, lavender and rosemary to bring your garden to life. Finally, make sure to utilize sun-loving plants and create a seating area so that you can sit outside and enjoy your beautiful garden.
