Some of your customers may have the idea that Mediterranean gardens are fairly unexciting with not a lot of options for lush, vibrant colors, but this could not be farther from the truth.
Take a look at a few ideas that can help you create the Mediterranean-style garden your clients crave and help take your customer’s yard from drab to fab.
Plants and topiaries
When choosing plants to go in a Mediterranean-style garden, it’s important to keep succulents and drought-tolerant plants in mind. For a few suggestions on drought-tolerant plants, click here.
Along with drought-tolerant plants and succulents, talk to your customers about adding lemon or orange trees to really bring in the Mediterranean vibe. If your customer does desire to have these trees present, they will need to be planted in pots and sheltered over the winter unless your client already resides in a Mediterranean climate.
Topiaries and hedges are also great features in a garden, as they add to the architectural framework. One of the most popular trees for Mediterranean-style gardens is the Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). These trees are versatile and evergreen, and they can provide an attractive green backdrop year-round.
Containers, pots, and raised beds
Along with plants and topiaries around the landscape comes the option of adding containers, pots, and raised beds.
Terra cotta pots and jars are some of the most popular pieces of garden décor in the Mediterranean style, and they can be used as focal points or simply for container gardening.
These containers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but it’s important to choose containers with wide bases to ensure they are not toppled by the wind. Containers made of clay are also a preferred choice, as they will remain cool by evaporation whereas plastic containers will absorb the sun’s heat.
Keep these plants watered regularly, and consider adding a glazed saucer beneath the containers to hold onto more of the water.
Raised beds are not only eye-catching, but they are also excellent for creating well-drained sites. They can also help break up the monotony, and they can be formal or informal depending on what style your customers want.
Shaded seating areas
When creating a Mediterranean-style garden, it’s only natural that people will want to sit out in it and enjoy it. With this in mind, it would be an excellent idea to add seating areas.
These will provide areas that let your customers relax and take in the atmosphere of the garden, but it’s equally as important to incorporate some shade into the seating areas.
Pergolas are not only functional for providing shade but they are also very popular Mediterranean-style structures. When adorned with attractive, sweet-smelling climbing plants, pergolas can also be an impressive landscape feature.
For tips on different ways to use climbing plants in a landscape, click here.
For a few ideas on what plants to use in a pergola, click here.
Gravel floors and water fixtures
Nothing says Mediterranean garden like the familiar crunch of gravel underfoot. Since Mediterranean climates typically suffer from a lack of water, lawns have either been reduced considerably or completely eliminated and replaced with gravel.
Gravel helps reduce water usage considerably, and it is also low maintenance and makes an attractive, long-lasting mulch.
While the water may not be used on the grass as much in this style of garden, it can be used in attractive water features like fountains and ornamental ponds.
Having water fixtures interspersed can help reduce the temperature of the air around the garden, and the water’s gleam can also add dimension to the surroundings.
Water fixtures are also great for attracting birds, bees, and butterflies to the garden.
Pebbles, cobbles, and Mediterranean tiles
Along with gravel, a few other popular Mediterranean-style floor patterns are the use of pebbles, cobbles, and Mediterranean tiles.
These can be woven into intricate designs, which is a tried and true Mediterranean technique. The possibilities are endless when it comes to designs, and your customers can get involved with this process by researching their favorite styles to incorporate.
Tiles can be used in walkways, entryways, or interwoven into steps, or they can be used to decorate walls in the garden. Wherever these tiles find themselves, the bright, lively colors are sure to make a statement.
