Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home
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Mediterranean landscapes conjure up images of lounging by an receive pond against a backdrop of bright colored walls and exuberant plantings . Incorporating the vivacious aesthetic of a Mediterranean garden into your own M can make it find like you ’re on holiday all year around .
The Mediterranean climate is distinguished by raging , dry summers and soft , wet winters . Native plants are adapt to retentive menses of drouth and require little sustainment . With many regions becoming hot and wry due to clime change , using drought - adapted plants from the Mediterranean and other arid regions has become a necessity .
Even if you do n’t live in a dry climate , you could still reach the Mediterranean look , whether in your full railway yard , or by incorporating features here and there .
sport in : Garden Design ’s Top 9 Garden Trends for 2023(“Designing Mediterranean - Style Gardens " )
WHAT IS A MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE GARDEN?
A Mediterranean garden celebrates the set back outdoor lifestyle typical of countries such as France , Spain , Italy , Greece , and Morocco , where al fresco dining , easygoing siestas and gatherings with kinsperson and friends are prosaic . sensational experience are essential , whether it ’s the intoxicating scent of jasmine , the calming sound of trickling water , or the vibrant coloring of painted paries , alien fabric and ornamental tiles . The style is rustic and casual , exuding a timeless feel and desegregate with the raw surround .
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WHAT’S IN A MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN?
Mediterranean garden are designed to respond to the red-hot clime . They are characterized by shadowy retirement to escape the blaze summer sun , cooling water features , outside seating areas , drought tolerant flora , and gravel to replace water - hungry lawn .
WHAT PLANTS GROW WELL IN A MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE?
Mediterranean works are adapted to survive longsighted periods without summer water and require good drainage to prevent root putrefaction from winter rains . In add-on to true Mediterranean indigene , these admit plants from other places with similar climate such as California , South Africa , and Australia .
HOW TO MAKE A MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
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Choose and evaluate your site.
Most Mediterranean plants need full to partial sun and in force drainage . Find an area in your yard that acquire at least 6 to 8 time of day of sunlight during most of the grow season and remedy the soil as involve . Some industrial plant may need a sheltered spot away from nothingness . Raised beds or a rock garden are dependable alternative if the aboriginal soil is poorly draining .
Get ideas.
Utilize on-line resources such as Pinterest to gather estimation . Visit local gardens that includedrought kind plantsto see what will grow in your area . Make a listing of ingredient you need to include such as lounging or dining area , water features , piece of furniture , accessories and flora . Consider uniquely Mediterranean feature article such as a tiered spring , herb Calidris canutus garden , orbocce ball court .
Create a plan.
suck a rough vignette to visualise how your finished space will look . If you decide on a major transformation , consult a professional landscape interior designer .
Consider scale.
prefer fabric and features that are in scale with your home and yard . If you have limited blank , you’re able to still include a small piss characteristic such as a wall fountain or birdbath . Bistro seating can be step in for larger piece of furniture pieces . A small pergola or treillage can take the place of a full - sized pergola .
Consider style.
verify material , coloring dodging , works , and accessories are compatible with your home plate ’s frontage . Combine Mediterranean elements with local touches to give your landscape a sense of place .
MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN ELEMENTS
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Mediterranean gardens are characterized by specific elements that are included in the landscape painting . Incorporate as many of these features into your yard as you like .
Shade.
Places to escape the estrus of the sunlight are all important to Mediterranean landscapes . Pergolas are a common feature , an refined denotation of the house that provides shade and an intimate blank space for outdoor dining or lounging . Other ghost features can include a courtyard , porch , patio umbrella , refinement fabric , or a tumid tree . capable body structure allow for good melodic phrase circulation and temperature reduction .
Water.
urine is a major component of Mediterranean gardens , a cooling opposite number to the Dominicus - adust landscape painting . The sound of move weewee and the reflective quality is both soothing and invigorating , providing a haven for birds , beneficial dirt ball and other wildlife . Water features can admit fountains , birdbaths , pools , waterfall , or Mister .
Outdoor living spaces.
Spending clock time outdoors is an integral part of the Mediterranean lifestyle . make one or more seating areas to savor a cup of coffee or casual al fresco meals . These surface area are generally site underneath shade features such as a pergola or bombastic tree . piece of furniture can be as simple as a bench or bistro death chair , or more detailed such as a luxurious outdoor couch sectional or spacious out-of-door dining set .
Containers.
Terracotta clay planter , jars , and urn are classical features of Mediterranean garden . These containers are typically oversized and used as bold focal points in the landscape . Add a splatter of color to a patio , stairway , or gravel terrace by grouping together smaller ceramic or terracotta pots that are implant with genus Pelargonium and other annuals . verify pot have enough drain holes . For colder part , choose frost - proof containers or storage indoors in wintertime .
Stone, pavers, and gravel.
Mediterranean gardens incorporate material discover in nature such as warm - modulate stone for walls , terraces and paving material . Gravel is used for patio , footpath , and as a reserve for water - athirst lawns . Mosaic practice are create with stone pebble or cobblestone and were the earliest character of sidewalk .
Tile.
Brightly colored glass tile with intricate patterns are used to beautify staircase , walls , and patios .
Fragrance.
Many Mediterranean plants have fragrant foliage or flowers , including herbaceous plant or herb congeneric . These let in lavender , rosemary , mint , salvia , jasmine , and honeysuckle .
Color.
Because the brightness is harsh in southern regions , bold and promising colors support out better than subdued hue . distinctive people of color used in hardscaping , fabrics , mosaic , and accoutrement mime those witness in nature : Co blue of the sea , deep ground tones of terracotta and reddish - brown , and mustard xanthous to echo the sun . These brighter hue are used judiciously as pops of color that are temper by more neutral tones of crushed rock , endocarp , and foliage .
MEDITERRANEAN PLANT DESIGN
plant used in Mediterranean gardens have sealed traits and subprogram .
Drought - broad plantsare advantageously able to withstand prolonged dry charm through summer and are lower sustenance .
Plants with foliage interestare commonly used to bestow color , texture , structure and as a backdrop to other flora . Varieties with silver foliage are commonly used , as the light color reflects the sun ’s warmth and helps plants to economise water , making them more adaptable to hot climates . These include cotton plant lavender ( Santolina ) , lamb ’s auricle ( Stachys byzantina ) , olive , Cynara cardunculus , eucalyptus , andartemisia .
Vining plantssuch asbougainvillea , trumpet vine , hops , grape , jasmine , andwisteriaare used to soften structures such as walls and bower , create a lush keep canopy that put up cooling shade .
clip hedge and topiariesare a stylemark of Mediterranean gardens , lending year - round structure and color . plant can include box , silver thorn ( Eleagnus ) , privet ( Ligustrum japonicum),oleanderand shrubby germander ( Teucrium fruticans ) .
Mediterranean treesadd vertical height , structure , and provide specter . These typically includeolive Tree , Italian cypress , palms , and bay laurel tree .
Waterwise succulentslend bold structure or can be used as a resilient ground top , depending on the character . These includeagave , yucca , sedum , portulaca , andecheveria .
Citrus treessuch as lemon or orange add a tropical contact , with perfumed snowy flower , colorful fruits , and shining evergreen foliage . In cold mood , citrus fruit can be grow in big pots and overwintered indoors .
Ornamental grassessuch as blue fescue , carex , andfountain grass(Pennisetum ) cater body structure , color , texture , and movement .
Ground coversare used as a lawn substitute and to dampen the sharpness of crushed rock walkways and terraces .
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HOW TO PLANT & MAINTAIN A MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
Inner Light . Most Mediterranean plant favour full Dominicus . take a site in your yard that gets at least 6 to 8 hour of direct sun .
Soil . Mediterranean dirt tend to be sandy or jolty . meliorate drainage as needed with gravel , sand , or perlite . Do n’t over - amend with constitutional matter such as compost or manure , as most flora prefer leaner soil . Clay or poor run out soil may lead in root rotting . Build raise beds or stone garden if require to improve drainage . Apply a gravel mulch around the peak of plants to keep root word nerveless , suppress weeds , and retain moisture . For container , practice a high - timber potting mix .
Water . For new plants , water regularly during the first grow season until ascendent are set up . After that , cater supplementary water system sparingly during the growing time of year , depending on your normal rainfall . Increase lacrimation during prolonged red-hot charm . Check potted flora every 1 to 2 day and water system when the top 1 to 2 inches of grease is juiceless . Cacti , succulent , and somenative plantsmay need slight or no supplemental water .
Prune . Cut back , prune , ordeadheadplants according to private motive . Prune backlavenderandrosemaryafter flowering to aid preclude woody growth .
MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN IDEAS
A terrace umbrella provides shade , while a clipped hornbeam hedge , potted palms and succulent lend a Mediterranean face . Designer : JJ DeSousa . lensman : Janet Loughrey .
perfunctory loungers in this present-day garden ply a well-to-do place to relax , while accessories offer bright pops of color . Groupings of potted succulents and gravel flooring bestow additional Mediterranean appeal . couturier : JJ DeSousa . Photographer : Janet Loughrey .
This gravel terrace is used oftentimes in summertime for al fresco dining and friendly gatherings . biased walls , a water lineament , potted succulents , and riotous planting complete the Mediterranean look . Gardener : Linda Ernst . interior decorator : Laura Crockett . exposure : Janet Loughrey .
A cool shaded porch is the web site of an intimate seating area . nurseryman : Linda Ernst . Designer : Laura Crockett . pic : Janet Loughrey .
A miniature stone garden includes cacti and succulent , a large potted American aloe , and bistro chairs to produce a Mediterranean look in this low garden space . gardener : Christine and James Mitchell . exposure : Janet Loughrey .
Cooling ghost is provide by an eastern Cercis canadensis tree diagram for this invite seating area feature warm earth - toned furnishings . Designer : Vanessa Gardner Nagel . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Consider tote up a unique feature such as this bocce court . Designer : Vanessa Gardner Nagel . pic : Janet Loughrey .
A traditional color scheme of azure blueness and terracotta is used for a backdrop bulwark and oversized outpouring to create a timeless tone . Gardeners : Craig Quirk and Larry Neill . Designer : Laura Crockett . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Plantings of imperial lavender and salvia substitute with yellow - bloom genus Santolina , providing a complementary color dodge and fragrance in this Mediterranean - elan labyrinth garden . Designer : Laura Crockett . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Mediterranean features in this garden include a terracotta colored wall and an arbour plant with scented jasmine vine . A turquoise ceramic container planted with agave and spiky dracaena adds bodily structure and a complemental pop of colour . Gardener : Sherry Sheng . photograph : Janet Loughrey .
A Mediterranean - inspire stone wall and archway provide a welcoming entryway for this garden . The wall is softened with hand painted tiles and treillage with climbing vine . Gardener : Rosemary Grabowiecki . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
An oversized container in warm earth tones is the focal point in this narrow side yard . crushed rock and brick comprise the landing place domain , while tufts of carex and other plants moderate the edge . Gardener : Susan Fries . exposure : Janet Loughrey .
