Forming a carpet of fleshy, gray-green succulent leaves, Lampranthus spectabilis (Trailing Ice Plant) is a tender perennial with a sprawling habit which provides a spectacular floral display as it gets covered with an abundance of colorful daisy-like blossoms, about 2 in. How To glauca 'Citrina' (Glaucous Scorpion-Vetch), Euphorbia characias subsp. Glowing and shimmering in the sunny border, Bupeurum fruticosum (Shrubby Hare's Ear) is a graceful, aromatic, evergreen shrub with dainty umbels of sulphur yellow flowers, 3-4 in. '"Carmine (opens in new tab)" or "Smalt (opens in new tab)" look fantastic paired with green foliage and terracotta pots, or update a tired brick wall with "Ashes of Roses (opens in new tab)" which is a fantastic color for adding a warm Mediterranean feel to any exterior,' she adds. We love the deep cobalt blue and sunny yellow tones in the set-up above. After they've flowered, closely trim them and they will carry on adding architectural interest right though the year. Always neat and tidy, this Mediterranean native is very easy to grow and useful in water-wise plantings. 4. Heres the lowdown on making the choice. They are topped in early to midsummer with a dramatic flowering stalk reaching 5-8 ft. (150-240 cm) and bearing panicles of nodding bell-shaped creamy white flowers, about 2.5 in. The best Mediterranean gardens have somewhere shady to retreat to when the sun gets too hot. Clusters of delightfully fragrant, small pure white flowers appear in late spring at the branch tips. The flowers are white and propeller shaped, produced right through the summer with a hefty jasmine scent. The dense evergreen foliage of ovate, glossy dark green leaves makes Laurustinus an excellent choice for mixed shrub borders or low screens. Although there are plenty of vivid shades to choose from, stick to the same color for maximum impact. Complete with a concealed reservoir and recirculating submersible pump most designs simply plug into an outdoor power point. Asparagusdensiflorus) and purple leaved Tradescantia try Zebrina 'Violet' for stunning color for a real head-turning focal point. Opt for a variety with either pale or dark blue flowers, or go for icy white. long or 12 cm), and stems of a lovely deep rhubarb color. Note this is the default cart. 8. The blossoms are borne atop a dense mound of wavy-edged, narrow, dull green leaves. Olive Trees are frost-hardy, prefer well-draining soil and they do well in large pots or containers. Often associated with the famous purple fields of Provence, Lavandula angustifolia, also called English Lavender, is not native to England but to the Mediterranean. These look good growing together, they all enjoy the same conditions and they are almost entirely maintenance-free. The Beautiful Italian Lakes with Stunning Botanical Gardens. Cupressus Sempervirens (Tuscan Cypress) Trees The cypress tree has become synonymous with images of Italian vineyards in the heart of Tuscany; whilst this magnificent tree is a traditional symbol of the Mediterranean landscape, it actually originates from Persia. Agapanthus Africanus Bold and architectural, Agapanthus are striking and they have become very popular in recent years. Orange or lemon trees make wonderful additions to Mediterranean garden ideas. We supply to the landscaper and interior and exterior design market, wholesalers, specialist nurseries and garden centres. Grapevine Leon Millot is just about the best outdoor variety Ive found for dessert grapes or go for Vitis vinifera Purpurea, which has bunches of small, edible, purple grapes. Native to the southeastern United States, Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped, deep green leaves edged with curly filaments. Reaching up to 1.5 metres tall they are truly striking and adored by bees. Eryngiums, or sea hollies, have a good, upright growing habit and spiky bracts around their small, greenish flowers. Excellent for adding sparkling color to dry gardens, Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset' (Magenta Rock Rose) is a low spreading, evergreen shrub with eye-catching clusters of yellow-centered, rich cerise flowers, 2 in. If you fancy scent, go with Trachelospermum asiaticum. Echinops, or Globe Thistle, has spiky silver foliage and spherical, bristly flowers in both blue and white. wulfenii is a statuesque evergreen shrub which enjoys months of chartreuse flowers. They are borne on flexible, erect, almost leafless, green broom-like stems and are followed by flat green seed pods. Pelargoniums add splashes of colour to a Mediterranean-style garden, Enjoy the benefits of a Mediterranean garden, Perennial favourites: Alan Titchmarsh's tips on growing geraniums, Alan Titchmarsh's tips on growing lavender in your garden, Dream Gardens: Avoid the one-trick peonies, Alan Titchmarsh's tips on growing roses in your garden this summer. Go for the lean-to type to stand against the wall over your patio doors, or be more avant-garde and stand a semicircular one against a high wall. They contrast beautifully against the handsome background of dark green foliage and last for several weeks. After all, Mediterranean gardens are designed to be sociable. Blooming heavily for weeks from late winter to early summer, these nodding beauties rise on sturdy, thick stems clad with large, spiny-toothed dark green leaves. Love the laid-back vibe of Mediterranean garden ideas? Masonry paint is your best bet for this job, try Little Greenes 'Mambo' (opens in new tab) for a vivid shade of Med blue or their 'Route One (opens in new tab)' if a dash of turquoise is more your thing. If terracotta feels a little 'meh' for your space, why not treat your pots to a splash of color? The main prerequisite for a Mediterranean garden is full sun and well-drained soils, whatever its location. Enjoying both ornamental and culinary qualities, Purple Sage is a favorite of many cooks and gardeners for its unique flavor and lovely foliage. Wall painted in 'Smalt 255' intelligent masonry paint and chair in 'French Grey Mid 162' intelligent exterior eggshell, both from Little Greene (opens in new tab). 7. Move them into a greenhouse or conservatory during colder snaps. Set-up from John Lewis (opens in new tab). Happy to grow in pots, most varieties of orange and lemon can stay outside where temperatures are above 10C, although kumquats can tolerate temperatures as low as 7C. Blooming occurs in summer with a display of small button-like bright yellow flowers, but Santolina is mostly grown for its foliage. Scented and glossy leaved climbers clambering over a pergola will provide shade for an atmospheric spot for dining. The blooms start out cupped and open almost flat to reveal prominent yellow central stamens in late spring. If you live in a colder climate, it's best to grow an olive tree in a pot and bring it under cover once the weather begins to turn in autumn. A profusion of fragrant, star-shaped, pure white flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and often intermittently throughout the summer and/or in the fall. They emerge from flower buds that form in the fall, hold through winter and swell at the beginning of the growing season to become these attractive cherry lanterns. Santolina, otherwise known as cotton lavender, has silver, aromatic leaves with an interesting, softly spiky look. Agapanthus Africanus, striking to look at, yet easy to maintain. Portugal Laurel is a superb plant for hedges, screens and windbreaks. All About Perennials And Why Your Garden Needs Them, Find Your Avant-Garde Inspiration At Charleston House and Gardens, Preparing The Garden for Entertaining This Summer. These palms are excellent in pots and well-draining soil. Pale gravel, tiled patios and walls painted in vibrant shades of terracotta, mustard, azure blue and white all instantly conjure up the mood of these sun-soaked spaces. Filling the summer air with its terrific honey-vanilla scent, award-winner Spartium junceum (Spanish Broom) is a vigorous, medium-sized shrub which produces masses of large, bright yellow pea-like flowers, 1 in. (Image credit: Isabel Pavia/Getty Images), (Image credit: Protek/Justin Coakley/@design_at_nineteen), (Image credit: itsabreeze photography/Getty Images), (Image credit: David Burton/Getty Images), (Image credit: Rosmarie Wirz/Getty Images), Dracaena propagation tips: how to get more dragon plants. Looking for more inspiration? Foliage may also be variegated, adding a bright note to the garden year-round. To use the website as intended please Choose a freestanding design for the perfect centrepiece that can be enjoyed from all sides, or a neat back-to-wall fountain, such as this design above, which is ideal for courtyards and seating areas. across (7-10 cm), on upright stems. If you're short of planting space, bay trees are happy in large pots and they have the added bonus that their aromatic leaves can be used fresh or dried in Mediterranean-style cooking too. Surrounding a cluster of golden-yellow stamen in the center, each bloom displays a ring of long, narrow, petals in bright shades of rose, pink, purple or white. At Paramount Plants we pride ourselves on our impressive range of sculpted plants; you can take a look at our full topiary collection here. You can unsubscribe at any time. Remaining attractive during all its growing season, this remarkable plant is resilient to most pests and diseases, is deer & rabbit resistant. long (6 cm). Where frequent waterlogging is likely, its best to put plants in pots or in raised garden beds rather than in the ground. However, there is a way to combat this why not bring the sunshine home with you by sprucing up your garden with some luscious Mediterranean plants? Sun-loving daisies such as osteospermum, gazania and lampranthus also look very authentic. Heres why you can trust us. Since Bay is a very slow grower, its ideal for container growing. If you want one or two striking architectural specimens to give height to a border, hardy palms and yuccas look the part. Try these to bring an instant flavor of Mediterranean gardens to your outdoor space: Looking for more flowerbed ideas? Native to Southern Europe, this rounded, medium-sized shrub makes a subtle but extraordinary background plant. Cut them back as soon as theyve flowered to keep them looking neat and fresh, and to prevent them sprawling too far. Although each flower lasts only for a day, this vigorous shrub provides a succession of flowers for weeks in late spring to early summer. Tips, advice and inspiration on how to maintain your garden, Weekly issues delivered direct to your door or device. Rich of a sweet peach fragrance, they are borne on short stems in a rounded umbel-shaped head, which forms a crown. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. This tough little Cistus tolerates salt spray, wind, and extreme droughtconditions, making it an excellent addition to seaside gardens. Mediterranean style gardens can work very well in our UK Climate. Very floriferous, Genista lydia Bangle (Lydian Broom) is a compact deciduous dwarf shrub with arching or trailing branches that produces waves of bright yellow, pea-like flowers in late spring and early summer. The description of these plants Pergola painted with Protek (opens in new tab) wood stain. Tightly clipped mounds of box, grouped in clusters or arranged in a row alongside a path, add just the right note too. In spring, you could have a similar cloud of pink with a Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum), which will be smothered in small, pea-like flowers on bare branches in April and May. across (2 cm) bloom from mid spring to early summer before giving way to purplish-black berries. Tough, Lavandin tends to grow larger, blooms later and produces more flower spikes than other Lavenders. In a fairly large garden, narrow, upright Italian cypress trees look good planted at intervals along a pathway or used as punctuation points in a border (and although a less obvious source of fragrance, they give off a lovely pine scent when you brush against them). Olive trees, citruses, oleander or bougainvillea in pots so you can take them into the conservatory in winter. So, adding a Mediterranean vibe could simply be a question of arranging and adding to what you already have to highlight the theme. Sarah is a freelance journalist and is lucky to be able to write about her twomain passions: gardening and food. officinalis, commonly known as Old Red Damask or Red Rose of Lancaster, is a healthy and robust small shrub rose that can be relied on to provide interest and color. It deflects the burning heat of the sun and helps them to conserve water. Blooming heavily for weeks from late winter to mid spring, these nodding beauties rise on sturdy, erect stems above a handsome foliage of leathery, narrow, fan-like (palmately divided), dark green leaves. Paramount Plants is a specialist Mediterranean nursery with an extensive selection of evergreen olive trees for sale. They are spangled by abundant pink flower buds that open to trumpet-shaped white flowers with yellow hearts. Star Jasmine (Trachelospernum Jasminoides) will cover a pergola in no time and fill the seating area with a delicious scent, evocative of sun filled vacations. This vigorous woody shrub is however far more profuse and bushy than perennial hollyhocks and features handsome maple-shaped gray-green leaves. Or, train a stunning campsis (Campsis radicans) with its large, brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers, over the structure. across (5 cm), adorned with orange stamens. Try variety 'Constance Eliott' for pure white flowers with striking stamens it'll make a wonderful contrast against dark backdrops. Call us on +44 (0) 7810 057780+34 649 277670. Adds architectural interest to the garden. We deliver nationwide throughout the UK. The blossoms are borne atop a low-growing, dense mound of wavy-edged, gray-green leaves. Among the earliest Lavenders to bloom, French Lavender enjoys a fairly long blooming season from mid spring to late summer. Plant with fragrant and silver-leaved beauties such as santolina, Caryopteris clandonensis, artemesia and of course lavender and add in potted feature plants such as a stately Chusan palm or olive tree. The foliage of plants native to hot countries is often silver-colored and there's a reason for this. She recently took on an allotmenttoo, and is really loving growing all her own fruit and veg then bringingit home to try out in new recipesfor her food and gardeningblog, A Cook's Plot (opens in new tab). To create the look, start with your hardware. A stunning plant for year-round interest, Euphorbia characias subsp. Agapanthus will grow really well in a pot rather than in the open ground. Line a pathway with Mediterranean-style planting. Painting a single wall or alcove a vibrant shade is often enough to conjure up that hot and sultry Mediterranean mood. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that In early summer, it sends up whorls of two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers on short, upright flower spikes. Covered with abundant, showy rose-like flowers in shades of orange, pink, yellow and white in late spring to early summer, Helianthemum Nummuralium (Rock Rose) is a charming low-growing subshrub with an evergreen foliage of gray-green, lance-shaped leaves. incanus (Pink Rock Rose), Cistus purpureus (Purple-Flowered Rock Rose), Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset' (Magenta Rock Rose), Coronilla valentina subsp. 3. Don't overdo it, though. incanus (Pink Rock Rose) is a bushy evergreen shrub with flamboyant, deep pink flowers, 2 in. If you have space, an olive tree works brilliantly as a focal point. Spanish Plants import and supply a wide range of plants sourced from nurseries and growers throughout Spain. Glowing in the sunny border, Cistus creticus ssp. Nothing sets off Mediterranean plants better than pale-colored gravel. The Mediterranean lifestyle is known for being more healthy and less stressful, but its not all down to the olive oil, salads and red wine. Find more inspiration in our water feature ideas feature. True Mediterranean-style choices will not only look the part, but they'll also be able to cope with near-drought conditions, meaning youll need to spend far less time wielding a watering can or best garden hose over the summer. Although each flower lasts only for a day, this vigorous shrub provides a succession of flowers for about a month. They are just as effective in British back yards, given a sheltered, sunny spot with reasonably well-drained soil. Want to know more? Lampranthus spectabilis blooms heavily from late winter to spring in warm winter areas, and from early summer to early fall in cooler locations.. (8 cm). But if DIY isnt your hobby, invest in a kit. One of the showiest Rock Roses, Cistus purpureus (Purple-Flowered Rock Rose) is a small, bushy evergreen shrub with large, yellow-centered, purplish-pink flowers, 3 in. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. If you fancy something less delicate, you can't beat a passion flower (Passiflora caerulea). Use gravel or pebbles for mulching after youve planted they reflect the heat and light, which helps contribute to the ambience, besides keeping roots cool and moist, and stifling a lot of annual weeds. Water feature from A Place In The Garden (opens in new tab). For even more impact, go forEuphorbia wulfenii it has big, acid-green flowers in early summer and can be a real show-stopper. As you will note, most of them have received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. But drought-loving plants for Mediterranean gardens hate sitting in cold, wet ground over winter, so if your garden is on clay it's best to mix in plenty of gravel before you start as this will help with drainage. Youll need a climber for growing over the pergola a grapevine makes the ideal scene setter or in a really hot, sunny spot south of Watford, try campsis, the exotic trumpet vine, which has huge, flame-coloured flowers in late summer. Opt for angular chippings between 10mm and 20mm for garden path ideas or areas where you are likely to walk, as this size is less likely to get caught in wheels and under shoes.