Shining visitor eyes and a floral holiday feeling are the reward for a stylish, Mediterranean garden. We invite you to take a stroll through the colorful world of characteristic garden plants and authentic accessories. This is how the lightness of the south finds its way into your garden.
What is included in Mediterranean garden design?
Mediterranean garden design combines sunny plants, trees and herbs, such as lavender, olive trees and cistus, with warm locations and sandy-loamy soil. Accessories such as terracotta pots, water features, wall paintings and beach chairs give a southern flair.
The right location – tips on ideal light and soil conditions
For Mediterranean plants to develop in all their glory, the right location conditions are important. A location in full sun, warm and sheltered from the wind simulates southern conditions. Loose, lean, sandy-loamy soil guarantees vigorous growth. If you enrich the soil with sand and fine-grained grit, harmful waterlogging has no chance.
Typical plants – perennials and herbs from southern regions
Plants from Mediterranean regions are generally not hardy. They compensate for this shortcoming with a never-ending flowering period from spring until well into autumn. Therefore, design your Mediterranean garden with these perennials and herbs that move to a frost-free winter quarters for the cold season:
- Sunflower (Helianthemum)
- Lilies (Lilium)
- Fuchsias (Fuchsia papagena)
- Jewelry basket (Cosmos bipinnatus)
- Rockrose (Cistus laurifolius)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), sage (Salvia) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) are suitable for year-round cultivation in the bed. Not to forget typical Mediterranean plants such as cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) or Spanish thistle (Eryngium bourgatii). In the bed or pot, these plants hold their ground when cold-sensitive perennials leave the Mediterranean garden stage in autumn.
Mediterranean trees for beds and pots
As the climate warms, Mediterranean trees and shrubs also thrive in beds all year round beyond the Alps. This applies at least to a garden within hardiness zones Z8 and Z7. In colder regions, cultivate the following garden plants in large containers so that they survive the cold season in frost-free winter quarters:
- Mediterranean Viburnum (Viburnum tinus) – hardy
- Garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) – hardy
- Tulip magnolia (Magnolia soulangiana) – conditionally hardy
- Olive tree (Olea europaea) – conditionally hardy
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) – tolerates light frost
In order to perfectly design the seating area in the Mediterranean garden and to provide shade at the same time, hardy palm trees are the ideal plants. The Chinese hemp palm (Tracycarpus fortunei) can withstand temperatures down to -17 degrees Celsius with adequate winter protection. The dwarf hemp palm (Trachycarpus nanus) is ideal for small gardens.
Ideas for accessories – decoration for a relaxing Mediterranean feeling
Water and natural stone play a key role in the Mediterranean garden. With wall fountains (€350.00 on Amazon) made of terracotta or cheerful water features with marble or granite stones, you can create a relaxing ambience. Things can be colorful next to and under earth-colored terracotta pots. Stylish accessories include colorful mosaics and romantic wall paintings. Of course, Tuscan lanterns and hand-painted herb pots should not be missing.
Tip
With a beach chair made of pine wood and wickerwork made of rattan, you can round off your Mediterranean garden design in style. Ideally, you should avoid the typical striped pattern of the legendary piece of furniture from the North Sea coast when it comes to the covers. With ocher or terracotta-colored, plain red and blue fabric covers, the tasteful transfer of maritime flair to a Mediterranean ambience is achieved.
