Step by Step Mediterranean Garden
Let's get working on a garden that has easy to grow trees with luxuriant foliage, heady, scented flowers, a kaleidoscope of joyful colours, pink, yellow and lilac but mixed in a harmonic and pleasing array.
Yes there are many shrubs that we can squeeze into our gardens such as the colourful roses and the fragrant lavender, rosemary and jasmine and of course, not forgetting the ever present colourful bougainvillea which typifies the Mediterranean garden. Flowers should be cascading from every corner filling the air with their rich, evocative fragrance. Remember the aroma of the honeysuckle which we have grown through the fences and the seductive night-time scent of the jasmine – it makes it all worthwhile.
It is important to choose the plants carefully when we are establishing our gardens. It is essential to have some plants which flower all season such as polygala and lady in pink, and when considering your choice of trees, ensure that there is a good mixture of evergreen and deciduous to ensure year round interest. Examples of useful evergreen trees are tekomarya, solanum, duranta, bignonia and grevilya. Outstanding deciduous trees include jacaranda, albizya and the flame trees, which will give magnificent colour and a sense of majesty to your garden.
When designing your Mediterranean garden it is crucial to imagine the essence of the region and include climbing plants and colourful flowers, as well as scented and verdant shrubs; imagine the riot of colour produced by roses and honeysuckle scrambling over the rich yellow stone walls. We should try to plant in groups interspersed with borders, however be wary of a regimented look, because after all, this is a Mediterranean garden and we are aiming for a soft, natural feel. It is better to plant randomly with a good mix of species such as daisies, lavender, roses, geraniums and bush oleander.
When planning your garden don't forget to leave space for your favourite spring flowers and annuals. These are wonderful for creating splashes of bright colour and include viola, snapdragon, periwinkle and alyssum. An essential part of a Mediterranean garden is a rock garden. With careful planning this will fill a bright corner and it can become a wonder of fascinating rock shapes and unusual flowering cacti.
In order to create a garden which is in harmony with the surrounding buildings we need to put a great deal of thought into the 'hard landscaping', and choose the materials for the paths and walls so that they reflect those used to build your property. Natural stone walls, sea rocks, pebbles, painted walls and wood all help to make your garden become an extension of your property. In order to add interest and focal points to an otherwise plain plot, the use of features such as wooden bridges over ponds, archways and meandering pebble paths flanked by sweet smelling flowers can be very effective. You might consider grass footpaths or an area of grass big enough to use as a seating or dining area, especially if you have planted a shady tree nearby. To forget to plant at least on fruit tree in your new garden would be a pity. Imagine the pleasure of picking ripe lemons, sweet peaches or tangy grapefruit from your own trees. Wonderful! Space and time permitting, you could also grow vegetables; a fresh salad made from your home grown lettuce, rocket, parsley and mint will bring the flavours of your Mediterranean garden to your table.
Here is the blueprint for a magnificent Mediterranean garden. Now is the time to stop dreaming and make your garden a REALITY!