Mediterranean Garden Ideas

Mediterranean Garden Ideas

A Mediterranean garden is among the most magnificent of gardening themes: an ancient walkway consisting of tiered fountains and white stone columns brings to mind the glory of ancient Rome at its imperial zenith. Inspired by the coastal idyll of the Mediterranean seaside, Mediterranean gardens take inspiration from countries such as Spain and Portugal – places of hot, dry summers and cool, humid winters. 

Drought tolerant plants such as lavender are prioritized, but it is by no means sparse – the sultriness of exotic beachside destinations is mirrored in the gleaming stone fountains and pebbled mosaic pathways. Fragrant herbs help soften the space with an indelible scent that leaves the home free of negativity. If you live in an area of increasingly hot summers, then consider remodeling your home space into a sun-soaked space of relaxation worthy of a Roman consul. 

1. Under the Basics of Mediterranean Design          

Throwing together a few rocks and olive trees together does not make a garden Mediterranean. To seem as authentic as possible, curate inspiration from the Italianate manor houses of old, classic Spanish villas, and the bohemian villages bordering the Aegean Sea. Minimal white walls are offset with colorful tiles and terracotta accents, and ceilings tend to be low-lying and darkly-beamed. Rocky outcroppings, mosaics with inlay, and terraced stone walls are all common aspects that create a rustic yet refined feel. Many gardens also incorporate water fountains to add a calming aspect.  

Although many plants will be granted entry in a Mediterranean garden, even those that aren’t considered genuine Mediterranean plants, certain types will shine through – from Old World roses festooning porticos to a border of herbaceous perennials – favored classics that work together to evoke an era long gone. Mix in succulents and drought-tolerant species for a waterwise garden that fuses practicality with beauty. 

Succulents and Drought-Tolerant Plants 

• Agaves
• Bright Star Yucca 
• Aloe cameronii (Red Aloe)
• Aeonium 'Zwartkop'
• Fire Sticks  

Brightly Colored Flowers

• African Lily 
• Crocosmia 'Lucifer' 
• Texas Ranger 
• Blue Hill Salvia 
• Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Babylon’
• Old Red Damask Rose 

Trees and Shrubs

• Italian Cypress 
• Artemisia (Wormwood) 
• Lantern Tree 
• Citrus Trees 

2. Use Trellises and Other Raised Structures 

Gardeners who aren’t afraid of a bit of work can sculpt trellises and other elevated structures with vining roses – Old World roses with double-flowered rosettes that impart a heady scent. Seen festooning many an antiquated building in France, climbing roses are an alchemical manifestation that leave passerby in awe, transforming brick-worn interfaces into picturesque scenes. Look for heat-tolerant roses such as 'Sweet Mademoiselle' and Don Juan that are accustomed to dry climates. Other vining plants such as morning glory and common jasmine can be trained to climb over terraces or pergolas, serving the dual purpose of adding both shade and fragrance. 

3. Define Terrain Using Gravel 

Sprawling green lawns are as foreign in a Mediterranean garden as KFC is in the Roman colosseum. Many Mediterranean herbs, originating from regions with tough, gritty scrubland, dislike waterlogged soil, so well-draining soil is crucial. Use gravel or cobbles to break up the monotone dullness of lawns or raised beds. Integrate gravel hardscaping into meandering pathways from which mounds of plants emerge; pea shingle, dredged from riverbeds, lends a weathered appearance that blends in with the surroundings. 

4. Add Definition with Raised Beds 

Citrus trees and palms add statuesque height that without, would seem barren. Terracotta pots may be the hallmark of Mediterranean design, but these corrugated fruit planters, painted in earthy tones, work just as well. Weave in wispy ornamental grasses with colorful perennials with this cascading planter to emulate the rolling romanticism of the Spanish seaside. 

5. Landscape with Hedges and Topiaries  

Topiaries and clipped hedges add formality to an exuberant, teeming garden, reinforcing an old-world grandeur throughout the property. Punctuate low-lying garden swaths with Italian cypresses, iconic of Mediterranean design, and stately boxwoods as an emblem of garden mastery and precision.   

6. Keep It as Natural as Possible   

In a Mediterranean garden theme, natural materials dominate, reinforcing an organic, nautical effect. Effaced stone steps and limewashed walls all give the impression of an earlier age without it seeming destitute and rundown. Hot flamingo pinks and plastics are scorned – you’ll want your garden to be less Barbie and more 1920s Spanish courtyard. Funky-formed terracotta pots and moldering statues can also inject character to the landscape. 

 

Recommended Types of Plants to Grow

A Mediterranean garden styled by a waterwise gardener will ostensibly deviate from one designed by a movie star. Some gardeners may forego drought-tolerant plants for a more ostentatious display, but regardless, everyone can benefit from growing those types of plants in their garden. 

• Vining plants: Vining plants adorning pergolas sets your garden apart while providing a vital respite from the scorching sun. Roses and wisteria are plants of classical antiquity, but for something that is truly different, consider growing grapes – who can resist these sun warmed globes that dangle pendulously from trellises? 
• Lavenders: Omnipresent in Mediterranean gardens are the perfumed spires of lavender. With over 450 varieties, lavender is an incredibly drought-tolerant addition to the garden. Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) is probably the most predominant, but experimentation has yielded interesting cultivars such as the silver-leafed Spanish Lavender 'Silver Anouk'.  
• Ornamental grasses: Ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass and blue fescue are scattered among pathways for rhythmic movement that mirrors the windswept dunes of sand found along coastal cities. These plants, designed to withstand the briny sea salt spray, are the ‘glue’ that holds everything together for a cohesive look. 
• Drought-tolerant plants: Many succulents and drought-tolerant herbs aren’t too picky where they set foot, and are often grown next to a sun-warmed patio in raised garden beds for edibles within reach. Please note that some choices that seem great are actually invasive, such as Mexican evening primrose. 
• Shrubs: Shrubs are often viewed as unsightly and undesirable, but there are some flowering ones that add ornamental value to your space. From the shrubby Portugal laurel to the fragrant mock orange, shrubs provide a charming vignette to the low-lying mounds perennials and sweeping swaths of grasses.