Mediterranean style garden

By Hosea Omole

Imagine you are on an exotic holiday. Amid white sandy beaches fringed with whispering palms, casuarinas and colourful bougainvilleas, you start your day with a sumptuous breakfast on the terrace restaurant. The morning sunshine warms your heart and the sea breeze charms your senses. Then you sweat it out at a game of beach volleyball or soccer before taking a cool plunge into the calm ocean. As the waters soothe your tired body, the sweet aroma from the deck eatery reminds you that something special is in the offing for lunch.

Such is the allure of Mediterranean gardens. Designed for pleasure, they bring out the best side of hot sunny climates. They are lush, they are extravagant, and they are beautiful. If you are out to have some serious fun in your garden, you should consider going Mediterranean, albeit in a small way. All you need is some sunny space, the basic concepts and lots of creativity. Here are the basic components of a Mediterranean-style garden:

Expansive hardscapes

Entertainment is at the heart of a Mediterranean garden. Hardscapes such as patios, terraces, paths and paved surfaces dominate over lawn. Such spaces and structures support a wide range of recreational facilities. A swimming pool and shady shelters for dining and wining, for instance, are common features. They provide lots of enjoyment and much needed respite from the hot sun.

Hardscapes are softened with container plantings. The planters are in themselves strong expressions in the design. They are drawn from artefacts associated with Mediterranean cultures.

Planting materials

Sun-loving and drought-tolerant plants dominate traditional Mediterranean gardens. Olive and citrus trees are specimen plants in these gardens. You can, however, find similar alternatives if they don’t grow too well in your region. Other worthy inclusions include palms, sunflower and sedum.

Plant colour is an important component. Vibrant colours are placed against a background of blue shades and silvery grey foliage to contrast and stand out. Fragrant delights such as lavender, rosemary and sage also give the garden a characteristic aroma.

Water features

Elaborate fountains, cascades, pools and other water features depict the value attached to the scarce commodity. Besides its functional qualities, other aspects of water are equally critical in this garden. Its cleansing and purifying qualities are symbolic. The sound it makes as it flows or trickles down a cascade creates a serene environment for relaxation and contemplation.

Art and decor

Terracotta was traditionally the most dominant hardscape finish in Mediterranean gardens. Lately, however, other types of finishes have been used effectively to substitute it and to maintain harmony with contemporary architectural finishes. If, for instance, terracotta does not quite fit in with your architectural finish, it is perfectly in order to apply paint to the garden walls to match the house. The paint should, however, be plain and preferably bright.

Mosaic tiles characteristically cover garden walls and furniture. Besides giving the garden identity, this form of art also gives a year-round colour even when all the flowers are gone.