You’ve probably heard by now that a hot, dry summer is on the horizon for most of the country. That means you’ll want to make sure that both your home and garden are prepared to handle the heat. For your home, that means getting your AC in good working condition and weatherstripping your doors and windows. For your garden, that means finding ways to conserve water and utilizing plants that are drought-tolerant. And with this in mind, it’s no surprise that Mediterranean gardens are among the top garden trends for this year.
Mediterranean gardens are characterized by their use of drought-tolerant plants, along with their low-maintenance nature, and their overall laid-back, relaxing look. Not only are Mediterranean gardens a sustainable choice in today’s climate, but they can also turn your landscape into a low-effort, dreamy paradise (and they’re much cheaper than a plane ticket to Europe). So, here are five plants you can start growing to establish a Mediterranean-style garden in your own yard, plus other ways to create the look.
Agave
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Agave is an extremely drought-tolerant plant, so much so, that in recent years, several California farmers started growing agave as a more reliable option when some of their other longtime crops were struggling due to climate change. The plant also adds a striking, unique visual element to any landscape with its rosette of tall, pointed leaves. Agave will grow best in zones 8 through 10, though there are some more cold hardy varieties.
Lavender
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Lavender plants add fragrance, color, and height to gardens with their upright purple flowers, which attract butterflies. The resilient, drought-tolerant plant can grow well in various areas of the garden, including in borders or rock gardens, and it thrives in full sun.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another plant that will add a great aroma to your garden, and its fragrance works double time, offering a tantalizing scent to passersby while also repelling pesky insects. In moderate climates, this hardy perennial can grow year-round, offering a near-endless harvest of this tasty herb for cooking.
Bougainvillea
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Bougainvillea is a showy climbing vine known for its prolific blooming. With very little maintenance required, this fast-growing plant will take over (in the best way possible) a trellis, fence, or garden wall with its vibrant pink flowers.
Lamb’s Ear
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Another fast-grower, lamb’s ear is a common choice for ground cover or for filling in rock gardens. The fuzzy, silvery foliage will offer visual intrigue and the low-growing nature of the plant will help flesh out your landscaping among the more vertical growers on this list.
More Ways to Create the Mediterranean Garden Look at Home
Drought-tolerant plants play a major role in establishing a Mediterranean garden, but they aren’t the only piece of the puzzle. In order to achieve that true Mediterranean-inspired look, your landscaping needs to evoke the right attitude, which is one of warmth and relaxation. For starters, create an area for relaxing, such as a shaded seating area under a large tree or a charming pergola. Water features are also commonplace in Mediterranean gardens as they offer cool reprieve from the hot sun, however, they can be wasteful—so be sure to keep in mind smart water use if you add this element to your garden. Finally, consider different ways to use hardscaping elements, like stone pathways or a tile patio, to add both character and function to your garden.
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