For those of us who live in temperate climates such as the UK and Ireland, we are all too familiar with mild summers and grey skies. That’s why we like to escape to warmer countries such as Spain, Italy and France in the summertime to get as much sunshine and heat as we can bear. However, with international travel restrictions still in place, it seems quite unlikely that many of us will get to experience the wonderful Mediterranean this year.
But all is not lost. Over the last few years, both the UK and Ireland have experienced warmer summers than usual, with temperatures reaching 30°C at the highest. With that being said, there is no reason why we cannot bring the beauty of the Mediterranean to us.
Inspired by the coastal areas of Spain, Italy and France, a Mediterranean garden combines relaxed materials and plants with formal accents and designs. Together they create a relaxing and uplifting environment that is brimming with texture, colour and structure.
To create your own Mediterranean-style garden at home you will need the following;
- Mediterranean Trees and Topiary
- Colourful Plant Pots and Containers
- Mediterranean Tiles and Pebbled Walkways
- Relaxing Water Features
- Mosaic Mediterranean Garden Furniture
Mediterranean Trees and Topiary For Your Garden
Olive Tree
Olive Trees are a great way to create your very own Mediterranean-style garden right at home. Olive trees are a species of evergreen tree in the Olea Europaea family, bringing colour and life to your garden year-round. The ancient olive tree is one of the oldest symbols of the world, symbolising peace, wisdom, prosperity and success. Their elegant silhouettes and evergreen leaves make them a beautiful focal point in any garden, especially one with a Mediterranean theme.
Shop our selection of Olive Trees here.
Palm Trees
Palm trees are a beautiful way to brighten up and add a tropical feel to your garden. These architecturally beautiful plants have a striking shape and are surprisingly low maintenance. Palm Trees are hardy, which means they are suitable for UK weather conditions. Therefore you can enjoy a tropical, Mediterranean-style garden right at your home. Whether you’re starting a new landscaping project or want something new and exciting to add to your garden, palm trees are a great choice.
Shop our collection of Palm Trees here.
Topiary Trees
Topiary trees come in a variety of shapes and are perfect for creating a Mediterranean style garden right here in the UK. Choose from topiary ball trees, boxwood topiary trees, spiral topiary trees and more in all different sizes. These ornate feature trees look lovely in both traditional and urban spaces, the perfect way to add structure and year-round greenery to your garden.
Citrus Trees
No Mediterranean garden is complete without a citrus tree. They are a lovely way to add luscious greenery, a pop of colour and delicious scents to your garden, wherever that may be. There are a wide variety of beautiful citrus trees to choose from including lime trees, mandarin, kumquat, limequat and lemon trees, so there is something for everyone.
Shop our collection of Citrus Trees here.
Colourful Plant Pots and Containers
The most recognisable part of any Mediterranean garden is the bright colours and bold patterns. The easiest way to incorporate this into your garden is through your plant pots and containers. The benefit of doing it this way, rather than going straight in with the paint on your walls, is that you can chop and change your pots around to suit your theme.
When choosing your coloured pots and containers try to stick to warm tones as these are most commonly used in Mediterranean gardens. Play around with lighter shades of straw to sandy beige and dark brown. Other warm Mediterranean colours to think about are muted red and rich yellow hues, including brick red, terracotta, peach and ochre.
Mediterranean Tiles and Pebbled Walkways
If you are really trying to capture the spirit of the Mediterranean in your outdoor space, then why not lay down some Moroccan-style tiles. Not only will they bring a pop of colour to your garden, but they are also perfect for any dull and neglected areas that are in need of some love. To add some function and character into this space, why not opt for some colourful geomatics style tiles or even efflorescent patchworks.
However, if you are looking for a low-cost alternative why not create a pebble or gravel walkway instead. Still just as beautiful, a stone pathway is another fantastic way to add a key feature to your Mediterranean garden. There are many benefits to choosing this option, including the fact that you don’t need a lot of knowledge of landscaping to create, and drainage is not necessary.
Relaxing Water Features
When we think about the Mediterranean, we picture those colourful gardens and beautiful trees. However, we also hear the sounds of the oceans in the not so distant. Therefore, to really bring the essence of your favourite holiday spot to your back garden, why not think about adding a relaxing water feature.
There is an abundance of water features to choose from including a range of fountains, Jeux d’eau, pools, ponds, rills, artificial waterfalls, and streams. However, remember to avoid dark corners when it comes to placing your water features as this will make it fade into the background. You want your water feature to be a focal point in your garden so it’s best to place it in the sunniest area, preferably at the intersection of two paths.
Mosaic Mediterranean Garden Furniture
What’s a garden without an area to sit in and appreciate its beauty! Not only this, but it’s also a good idea to have a shaded seating area where you can hide from the sun and other elements when they are at their strongest. To emulate the style and ambience of a Mediterranean garden right here in the UK, then think of mosaic furniture. The eye-catching geometric patterns are not only is it easy to maintain but also offer the perfect garden pick-me-up and focal point.
However, if you are looking for something a little more modern then rattan chairs and tables will still fit in perfectly with your rustic, Mediterranean theme. To really accentuate this, opt for warm coloured cushions in shades of stone, orange, red, lavender and yellow.
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