How to create a Mediterranean style Garden - We can not always have the Mediterranean climate stifling hot, but most of the plants in our gardens come from warmer countries. With a changing climate, as it is now much easier to recreate an elegant sunny courtyard or a touch of the Mediterranean in your garden with many varieties of plants resistant to drought and good range of paving and walling materials , pots and characteristics of the water. Let these ideas inspire you
Read more in this series :. How to Grow a Cottage Garden style t How to grow a scented garden t How to grow a Haven Lush Jungle style t How to grow a garden container I How to grow an edible garden
Read more in this series :. How to Grow a Cottage Garden style t How to grow a scented garden t How to grow a Haven Lush Jungle style t How to grow a garden container I How to grow an edible garden
WA design Architects
Sniff - and repeat
most Mediterranean gardens are filled with fragrance from plants such as lavender, myrtle, choisya, rose and jasmine. Even the great trees of Italian cypress, seen throughout the Mediterranean, have a distinctive wood sage scent that transports you to a trip to warmer climates.
Many varieties of plants foliage of silver are also used in the planting of Mediterranean style. These include Artemisia 'Powis Castle' Helichrysum italicum , various species of Phlomis, and the soft, feathery Stachys byzantina .
What is very noticeable in Mediterranean gardens is a lot of repetition plantation. There are large lavender cotton drifts or French lavender and, once they have bloomed, they are shaped into neat mounds. This way of planting provides architectural interest after flowering has occurred and is used wisely. You can entangle the mounds with bulbs like alliums, which provide the height and variety.
Learn how to give your garden the wow factor using purple
most Mediterranean gardens are filled with fragrance from plants such as lavender, myrtle, choisya, rose and jasmine. Even the great trees of Italian cypress, seen throughout the Mediterranean, have a distinctive wood sage scent that transports you to a trip to warmer climates.
Many varieties of plants foliage of silver are also used in the planting of Mediterranean style. These include Artemisia 'Powis Castle' Helichrysum italicum , various species of Phlomis, and the soft, feathery Stachys byzantina .
What is very noticeable in Mediterranean gardens is a lot of repetition plantation. There are large lavender cotton drifts or French lavender and, once they have bloomed, they are shaped into neat mounds. This way of planting provides architectural interest after flowering has occurred and is used wisely. You can entangle the mounds with bulbs like alliums, which provide the height and variety.
Learn how to give your garden the wow factor using purple
Garden Pacific
establish a pergola
a pergola or covered area is often found in the Mediterranean garden. It provides shade on hot days and in perfect canopy to enjoy outdoor dining in warm weather. The structures are often handmade from old tree branches and covered with a canopy bushes or thatch.
It is easy to build your own wooden pergola, or there is a lot of self-assembly kits on the market. You can also buy rolls of natural brush for screening, which can also be used to cover the existing roof coverings to complement the Mediterranean look.
There are a variety of plants that grow well on a pergola, including many vines and for a really exotic look, you can try campsis, trumpet vine; "Madame Galen 'is a hardy plant form, and does very well in this country.
a pergola or covered area is often found in the Mediterranean garden. It provides shade on hot days and in perfect canopy to enjoy outdoor dining in warm weather. The structures are often handmade from old tree branches and covered with a canopy bushes or thatch.
It is easy to build your own wooden pergola, or there is a lot of self-assembly kits on the market. You can also buy rolls of natural brush for screening, which can also be used to cover the existing roof coverings to complement the Mediterranean look.
There are a variety of plants that grow well on a pergola, including many vines and for a really exotic look, you can try campsis, trumpet vine; "Madame Galen 'is a hardy plant form, and does very well in this country.
Claudia De Yong Garden Design
Go to the gravel
gravel is the natural choice for a Mediterranean garden, because it reflects heat and light, adding to the ambiance.
gravel gardens do best in full sun, in an open site. You can use a landscape membrane on the soil before planting, which will help to remove weeds growing between the two plants.
The plants that do well in the gravel include herbs. Many of them come from the Mediterranean and appreciate having gravel around them, and some mixed into the ground for extra drainage.
Gravel can also be considered a low-maintenance style of gardening and, in addition to being ideal for herbs, lends itself to such plants as lavender, e Uphoria, c Istus, eryngium, stachys, hebe and agapanthus. They prefer their roots to be contained, so also do well in pots.
gravel is the natural choice for a Mediterranean garden, because it reflects heat and light, adding to the ambiance.
gravel gardens do best in full sun, in an open site. You can use a landscape membrane on the soil before planting, which will help to remove weeds growing between the two plants.
The plants that do well in the gravel include herbs. Many of them come from the Mediterranean and appreciate having gravel around them, and some mixed into the ground for extra drainage.
Gravel can also be considered a low-maintenance style of gardening and, in addition to being ideal for herbs, lends itself to such plants as lavender, e Uphoria, c Istus, eryngium, stachys, hebe and agapanthus. They prefer their roots to be contained, so also do well in pots.
Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates
Plant a few pots
pots are the obvious choice for a Mediterranean-style garden. Try to stick with terracotta and large Cretan style urns to create the right look. You can also add in some enameled pots, so if you like them. I also often placed a large empty terracotta pots or olive pots in the garden as a feature or focal point in the middle of planting their own or on a terrace.
Choose what to plant in your pots can be a minefield, but I recommend the unique varieties of perennials, such as Pelargonium or shrubs or isolated trees such as bay.
Keep the simple planting, as you may need to bring some of your plants indoors during the colder months. Plants such as citrus, oleanders and Bougainvillea all need winter protection, so it makes more sense to use a single specimen when doing your larger pots.
Browse photos Mediterranean garden ideas worldwide
pots are the obvious choice for a Mediterranean-style garden. Try to stick with terracotta and large Cretan style urns to create the right look. You can also add in some enameled pots, so if you like them. I also often placed a large empty terracotta pots or olive pots in the garden as a feature or focal point in the middle of planting their own or on a terrace.
Choose what to plant in your pots can be a minefield, but I recommend the unique varieties of perennials, such as Pelargonium or shrubs or isolated trees such as bay.
Keep the simple planting, as you may need to bring some of your plants indoors during the colder months. Plants such as citrus, oleanders and Bougainvillea all need winter protection, so it makes more sense to use a single specimen when doing your larger pots.
Browse photos Mediterranean garden ideas worldwide
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape architecture
terracotta tile
for authentic Mediterranean terrace, looking terracotta paving earth style. The warm tones of the stone will immediately make you feel transported to a sunnier climate.
With so many choices on the market today, reconstituted tiles that look like clay to the real thing, it is just a matter of trying some samples to see what works best.
For a rustic look, choose terracotta opening with an edge overthrown; to smother a look, opt for a tile that can be installed to include a pattern, as seen in this garden, creating an outdoor rug in the center, perfect for a table and chairs. Laying the terracotta tiles in a diamond pattern also helps to create a more authentic style in paved areas.
Accessorize paving with pots, rustic furniture, a wall fountain or bubbling water feature and scented plants.
for authentic Mediterranean terrace, looking terracotta paving earth style. The warm tones of the stone will immediately make you feel transported to a sunnier climate.
With so many choices on the market today, reconstituted tiles that look like clay to the real thing, it is just a matter of trying some samples to see what works best.
For a rustic look, choose terracotta opening with an edge overthrown; to smother a look, opt for a tile that can be installed to include a pattern, as seen in this garden, creating an outdoor rug in the center, perfect for a table and chairs. Laying the terracotta tiles in a diamond pattern also helps to create a more authentic style in paved areas.
Accessorize paving with pots, rustic furniture, a wall fountain or bubbling water feature and scented plants.
Claudia De Yong Garden Design
Work your walls
garden walls, they are built of brick or stone, can really help you create a small oasis or area for a Mediterranean garden. If you have ugly walls, you can try to paint them in a gentle tone, warm to evoke the Mediterranean heat. There is so much of now paint colors to choose for outdoor use.
If you're lucky enough to have walls, they will help you to protect the tender plants, and you will also be able to develop a lot of scented climbers.
A large evergreen climber foliage jasminoides Trachelospermum is used in the manufacture of perfumes and grows wild in the south of France. Trachelospermum is now easily available than large climbing plants in the UK and can also be trained to grow horizontally along a wall to great effect.
garden walls, they are built of brick or stone, can really help you create a small oasis or area for a Mediterranean garden. If you have ugly walls, you can try to paint them in a gentle tone, warm to evoke the Mediterranean heat. There is so much of now paint colors to choose for outdoor use.
If you're lucky enough to have walls, they will help you to protect the tender plants, and you will also be able to develop a lot of scented climbers.
A large evergreen climber foliage jasminoides Trachelospermum is used in the manufacture of perfumes and grows wild in the south of France. Trachelospermum is now easily available than large climbing plants in the UK and can also be trained to grow horizontally along a wall to great effect.
Claudia De Yong Garden Design
Set an olive tree
Think of a plant conventional Mediterranean garden and the olive tree probably comes to mind. In recent years, the olive trees have been popular among garden designers and are often seen on display in restaurants, in garden pots before and outside in the gardens across the UK.
Olea europaea is the variety you find in garden centers. To ensure that your tree grows well, the site in a sunny position, with the protection of the north and northeast winds. Plant in free-draining soil that will not become waterlogged. Olives can be planted in an acidic or alkaline soil, but will not be like the clay and will require additional drainage.
Olives grow well in pots in a good mix of multi-purpose compost, but when repotting, do not swamp the tree with a much larger pot - just go with the size next up
. If your olive is pocketed, make sure that the roots do not freeze in winter, as this will result in poor growth. Use a feed algae from May to September, and if you need to prune lightly to shape, to make the late spring and never in winter.
Think of a plant conventional Mediterranean garden and the olive tree probably comes to mind. In recent years, the olive trees have been popular among garden designers and are often seen on display in restaurants, in garden pots before and outside in the gardens across the UK.
Olea europaea is the variety you find in garden centers. To ensure that your tree grows well, the site in a sunny position, with the protection of the north and northeast winds. Plant in free-draining soil that will not become waterlogged. Olives can be planted in an acidic or alkaline soil, but will not be like the clay and will require additional drainage.
Olives grow well in pots in a good mix of multi-purpose compost, but when repotting, do not swamp the tree with a much larger pot - just go with the size next up
. If your olive is pocketed, make sure that the roots do not freeze in winter, as this will result in poor growth. Use a feed algae from May to September, and if you need to prune lightly to shape, to make the late spring and never in winter.
Claudia De Yong Garden Design
mode a water feature
a water feature is a must in a Mediterranean garden to cool air in the summer heat. Water also gives a garden a different dimension - the gentle stream running or bubbling water, and its reflective qualities, adding to the atmosphere.
There are numerous water features available for small gardens now, and you can choose to have a wall fountain with a stone trough against it to the water cascading into or you can purchase standalone wall fountains terracotta, stone, lead or steel.
You can also try making your own water feature: Get a large pot, calculate the volume of water so that you buy the right size pump, make sure the pot is watertight and level, then place it on a tank that can be driven on and dressed stones. With larger gardens, you can create a trickle or a large wooded pond with a fountain.
Evaporation can occur with water features, especially those that have a large area. If plants hanging in the water, attention to "wick" - where the water is absorbed by the stem or flowerhead; make sure you do not overplant around the edge of the function.
a water feature is a must in a Mediterranean garden to cool air in the summer heat. Water also gives a garden a different dimension - the gentle stream running or bubbling water, and its reflective qualities, adding to the atmosphere.
There are numerous water features available for small gardens now, and you can choose to have a wall fountain with a stone trough against it to the water cascading into or you can purchase standalone wall fountains terracotta, stone, lead or steel.
You can also try making your own water feature: Get a large pot, calculate the volume of water so that you buy the right size pump, make sure the pot is watertight and level, then place it on a tank that can be driven on and dressed stones. With larger gardens, you can create a trickle or a large wooded pond with a fountain.
Evaporation can occur with water features, especially those that have a large area. If plants hanging in the water, attention to "wick" - where the water is absorbed by the stem or flowerhead; make sure you do not overplant around the edge of the function.
Derviss Design
Celebrate a slope
If your garden is terraced or on a slope, this could provide an ideal way to grow many Mediterranean plants.
Implementation of large rocks from a local quarry across the earth will keep the natural look, and you can plant many varieties of small alpine perennials or low flowering like Erigeron and Helianthemum . The plants will soon naturalize and start to cascade over stones and self-seed.
A series of stone steps leading through planting interspersed with trees and shrubs can also be planted with different varieties of roses. Other plants, such as grasses, including the largest Stipa gigantea will add to the Mediterranean feel.
If your garden is terraced or on a slope, this could provide an ideal way to grow many Mediterranean plants.
Implementation of large rocks from a local quarry across the earth will keep the natural look, and you can plant many varieties of small alpine perennials or low flowering like Erigeron and Helianthemum . The plants will soon naturalize and start to cascade over stones and self-seed.
A series of stone steps leading through planting interspersed with trees and shrubs can also be planted with different varieties of roses. Other plants, such as grasses, including the largest Stipa gigantea will add to the Mediterranean feel.
Lori Smyth Design
concoct an outdoor retreat
We all dream of having a beautiful building with outdoor seating and a fireplace surrounded by beautiful fragrant plants - and hot summers!
We can not always have warm temperatures throughout the summer, but we can still create our own little piece of Mediterranean paradise with some essentials, even though we can 't have a rustic retreat stone. Garden centers now also have many styles available fire sky, which would look wonderful in a courtyard surrounded by rustic metal chairs.
Also try placing storm lanterns near a seating area and burn citronella candles, which ward off all unwanted flying guests and smell wonderful.
Place large outdoor cushions on the seats and paving for occasional use throws for warmth on cool summer evenings.
Tell us ...
What do you like most in the Mediterranean-style gardens? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments below.
We all dream of having a beautiful building with outdoor seating and a fireplace surrounded by beautiful fragrant plants - and hot summers!
We can not always have warm temperatures throughout the summer, but we can still create our own little piece of Mediterranean paradise with some essentials, even though we can 't have a rustic retreat stone. Garden centers now also have many styles available fire sky, which would look wonderful in a courtyard surrounded by rustic metal chairs.
Also try placing storm lanterns near a seating area and burn citronella candles, which ward off all unwanted flying guests and smell wonderful.
Place large outdoor cushions on the seats and paving for occasional use throws for warmth on cool summer evenings.
Tell us ...
What do you like most in the Mediterranean-style gardens? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments below.