If you're thinking of giving your garden a makeover, why not take inspiration from our neighbours on the continent? With our summers getting hotter and our winters milder, many of our favourite sun-loving Mediterranean plants are quite at home in British gardens.
Here are Nicky's five top tips to bring a bit of Mediterranean style to your outdoor space.
SOFTEN BORDERS WITH FLOWERING PLANTS AND CLIMBERS
My favourite Mediterranean-style gardens are those that seem to naturally flow from top to bottom, with almost no hard edges. Soften the borders of your garden with classic Mediterranean flowering plants
such as lavender, cistus and euphorbia. For structure, go for evergreen Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ with its glossy green leaves and gorgeous scented flowers, or cypress Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’ which is good for small gardens.
Silver-leaved olive trees will thrive in a sheltered, sunny spot too. Finally, add some climbers, such as fragrant star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides, to cover walls and fences and fill your garden with pleasant scents.
GET SOME GRAVEL
Mediterranean gardens tend to be very low maintenance, and the liberal use of gravel can certainly enhance this characteristic. Not only does gravel improve the ambience of your space by reflecting light and heat but it can also provide a home for some beautiful plants. Herbs are the obvious choice here, with rosemary, thyme and oregano being favourites for their fragrant aroma and ability to thrive in poor soils. They hate sitting in cold, wet soil, though, so if your garden is on heavy clay, dig in lots of compost before planting to improve the drainage.
CREATE A SEATING AREA
No Mediterranean garden would be complete without a seating area where you can entertain guests and enjoy the sights and sounds of your surroundings. For a low-key option, choose an understated wooden bench that blends into the relaxed look of the garden. To create a nice spot for lunching, consider putting up a pergola and allow climbing plants such as passionflower and grape vines to grow up them, creating shade from the sun. Add some furniture and you’ll be ready to dine in style.
ADD SIMPLE LIGHTING OPTIONS
A Mediterranean garden is designed to be enjoyed throughout the day and well into the evening. Dining late is one of the delights of continental living and you can enjoy the same benefit in your garden by adding some simple lighting to illuminate your space at night. You don’t need anything too complex here, and you can even go for some strategically-placed lanterns if you want to add more atmosphere to your evenings outdoors.
CHOOSE RUSTIC TILES AND POTS
No Mediterranean garden is complete without a few plants in pots and opting for terracotta can help to build that warm, rustic look. You can break up the earthy colour scheme with one or two colourful glazed pots, which are another favourite for this style. In addition, you can tile patios and pathways in terracotta to continue the theme. You can even include a patterned area to create an outdoor rug effect, which would be ideal for an area where you plan to add a table and chairs. Fill your pots with agapanthus and brightly-coloured pelargoniums, with silver-leaved Senecio cineraria for that final touch of Mediterranean style.
