Mediterranean gardens are having a bit of a moment, partly due to increasing UK temperatures making drought-tolerant plants and flowers more popular. We are also drawn to warm and earthy Mediterranean colours, the appeal of fragrant herbs, and the charm of a garden that is happy to be a little weathered and timeworn.
Mediterranean homes tend to be equally warm and welcoming, with an abundance of colour and texture – you would be hard pushed to find many sombre greys or minimalist touches. In designing a Mediterranean garden, you should follow a similar template.
"Opt for a warm colour palette making use of ecru, as well as shades of brown and ivory. When adding greenery, add evergreen plants like shrubs and topiaries that last all year round," suggest the experts at Toolstation.
"Suitable materials include iron and stone which can be implemented through hardscaping. This can involve statues, stone paths, fountains, and anything else that ties in with a classical, Renaissance style. Pottery would also be well suited for an Italian-style garden, as would subtle furniture additions to create secluded seating areas."
Read on for some Mediterranean garden ideas you can implement in your own space, including colours, plants, outdoor furniture and finishing touches...
Mediterranean garden ideas: Plants and trees
Whilst our climates are different, there are several Mediterranean trees and plants that can thrive in a British garden.
- Olive trees – the iconic Mediterranean tree. Whilst olive trees are drought tolerant, they need to be watered generously and fed with a liquid feed every two weeks during growing season.
- Cyprus – Cypresses are a tall and striking evergreen that work well lining borders or standing proudly either side of a garden gate. They will thrive in well-drained soil in full view of the sun, protected from cold winds.
- Rosemary – Fragrant herbs are perfect for creating a Mediterranean garden, and much like lavender and thyme, rosemary can be both useful and ornamental. Plant your rosemary near a seating area to take advantage of its fragrance, and its pretty blue flowers that appear between April and June.
- Citrus – Another Mediterranean icon, citrus trees can adapt surprisingly well to cooler British climates. They are generally happy to grow in pots, and most varieties of both orange and lemon tree can remain outside above 10°C.
- Palms and yuccas – Hardy plants with wonderful frothy foliage, palms and yuccas are also happy in pots, and are relatively low maintenance – just don't expect them to reach vertiginous heights as they might in the Mediterranean.
- Lavender – Another great choice to introduce scent into your garden. To make your lavender most fragrant, place them in full view of the sun which will better draw out the oils in the foliage.
How you present your plants is important too. Mediterranean homes are lovingly, if a little haphazardly, put together, full of antiques and inherited pieces. Gardens are treated much the same.
Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World, suggests upcycling used pots and baskets to create an authentic and rustic landscape.
"Keep your broken terracotta pots as these can make a lovely feature planted with succulents. Arrange all the large pieces of broken pot, fill the gaps with a 50/50 mixture of compost and horticultural grit then plant up with succulents or small alpines.
"An old colander or vegetable basket can be used as a hanging basket. Look for the large packs of bedding in the supermarket and introduce some small evergreen shrubs, conifers and grasses to bulk out the annual bedding. All you have to do each season is fill the gaps with bedding."
Pots and planters for a Mediterranean garden
An earthy colour palette
In sunny Mediterranean countries, warm and earthy colours like terracotta, ochre, coral and green are ubiquitous in buildings and gardens. Painting any exterior walls in your garden can create a wonderful backdrop for your olive or citrus trees.
"The main colour tones are white in its purest form, balanced with the natural colours of the Mediterranean landscape, so different hues of blues like the sea, light greens, yellows and browns are inspired by flowers and the countryside," say the trend experts at WeThrift.
When choosing neutrals, go for anything inspired by the stones used in Mediterranean sculpture and architecture such as clay or marble.
Garden furniture for gathering
Food is central to Mediterranean culture, and mealtimes are characterised by warmth, vibrance and lots of guests. Create a spot in your garden for outdoor dining, using pieces that are conducive to entertaining – a round dining table, or the more traditional Italian-style canteen table.
"To create a stylish, Mediterranean style dining setup, choose a table with a rising fire pit, rattan or wicker style chairs, and beautiful tinted glass dinnerware," says Joel Gaithwaite, Chief Marketing Officer at Harbour Lifestyle. "Don’t forget to incorporate plants, plenty of candles, and co-ordinating napkins for an authentic, holiday style experience.”
A lot of Mediterranean dining will of course be done under the shade of a pergola, which is an ideal opportunity to bring in climbers and outdoor string lights.
And for a finishing touch, consider scent. “A citronella candle not only keeps the bugs away but it also provides a fresh lemony smell with connotations of a hot Mediterranean holiday,” says Andrea Waters, Head of Brands at Portmeirion.
Outdoor rugs for warmth
As the natural warmth of a Mediterranean garden is often lacking in the UK, using outdoor rugs can be a fine substitute. Layer lots of outdoor rugs in your dining area, as well as in the sunniest spot in your garden to create a seating area – they are also a quick and affordable way to hide weathered garden tiles.
"The additional solace of not having to place your feet on a cold patio tile creates a sumptuous experience, and a stylish aesthetic, that will work wonders in your garden," says Joel. "Choose a rug that co-ordinates with your existing furniture, and ensure you select one with hardwearing, weatherproof materials for a truly indulgent feel."
Outdoor tiles for colour and pattern
Colour will be a determining factor in successfully recreating a Mediterranean garden, but if you're far from green-fingered or if you have a small balcony or terrace, using outdoor tiles can substitute for the colourful flowers and foliage so typical in Mediterranean gardens.
Highly decorated ceramic tiles have long been used in Mediterranean countries to decorate walls and floors in religious and public buildings, and they translate wonderfully well into outdoor spaces too. One of the joys of a Mediterranean garden is that it is naturally rustic and a little weathered, and so you can be somewhat relaxed about maintaining your outdoor tiles.
