Image – Flickr/Seán A. O’Hara
The Mediterranean garden. What about him? From my point of view, I think it has undergone some changes over the years, mainly thanks to globalization and the possibility of buying plants from elsewhere. And it is that although in this region of the world there are species of ornamental and landscape interest, such as lavender or cistus, there is a tendency to opt for other foreign plants which, having an exotic appearance but in same time the same needs as those here, make many gardeners prefer them.
I think it doesn’t hurt to take advantage of it and get plants from outside, but If you are going to design a Mediterranean garden there are a few minimums which I think must be adhered to. What are these minimums I’m talking about? Now I will tell you.
Contents
What is a Mediterranean garden?
Image – Flickr/Seán A. O’Hara
When you visit a let’s say ‘pure’ or ‘true’ Mediterranean garden, the first thing that may catch your eye is how certain plants are used to provide shade. This is so for a very simple reason: the summers in this region are very hot, even sweltering due to the high humidity, so having a few shade trees to cool off in is definitely something you want to appreciate.
But also, we will see rock gardens adorned with various aromatic plants, such as lavender, thyme or rosemary. Also calculi are commonwhich serve several purposes: to delimit the site (the construction of dry stone walls has been done for many centuries), to delimit roads or paths, and even for the aforementioned rockeries.
If we talk about the different areas or areas that usually exist in this type of garden, we can differentiate the following:
- The house, which is the main element. If it is a house on a lot, it is common for there to be a path of aromatic plants from the main door to the entrance of the house.
- A relaxation area, consisting of a tree that does not have to be tall but casts a lot of shade. Pines and olive trees are the ones I’ve seen used the most for this.
- aromatic rock garden. They are plants that need a lot of sun, so they are placed in open spaces, such as next to the wall of the house, near the swimming pool or as low hedges for the edges of paths.
- potted plants. They are decorative elements that add color to the garden. Terracotta pots are generally preferred for their durability and strength (plastic ones do not last long in the Mediterranean, unless they are hard plastic like that used in making outdoor pots, since the sun gradually wears out).
How does an “old” Mediterranean garden differ from a “modern” garden?
Related article:
Design a Mediterranean garden
It seems interesting to me to talk about it, because one might think that this garden has always been like this, and it is not true. And for that, you have to go in search of its origins, which can be found in the Middle Ages. Actually, the ancient Mediterranean garden was a mixture of cultures: the Muslim and the Hispanic. Among them – to be more precise, Muslims – inherited the need to rationalize water. Water was the main element, and that is why everything was done to make the most of it.
Besides, At that time, only native plants were available, apart from those that Muslims could bring, such as the date palms they loved so much; or other visitors from other countries, who brought us citrus fruits, for example. The Mediterranean region has always been a place of meeting and exchangeProof of this are all the architectural and cultural elements that we find in any of its points.
Image – Flickr/Janusz Sliwinski
But back to the gardens. How to differentiate an old Mediterranean garden from a modern garden? Mainly in the use of exotic plants which can only be used as ornamental plantssuch as succulents (cacti and succulents), palms (Butia, Washingtonia, Brahea, etc.), and many others.
Water is always considered an indispensable resource, but the reality is that today I would say it is not used as well as before.. In my area, many gardens are designed, apparently Mediterranean, but in which the lawn and pool are usually not missing. As you know, the grass requires a lot of water, just like the swimming pool. In a region where it is rare, I wonder how much longer these types of “pseudo-Mediterranean” gardens can be designed, because on the least expected day the water will run out.
So the best thing is, without a doubt, to go back to the origins; that is to say rediscover the so good custom of planting native species; and if we want to have a green carpet, let’s opt for much more sustainable alternatives such as artificial grass or, better still, grass species typical of the region.