A Selection for your Cyprus Mediterranean Garden

Sunflowers (although difficult to fit in a garden)

Geraniums (especially red)

Laurel (as a hedge)

Hibiscus (I don’t think that is really mediterranean but it fits well with the others, as does gardenia)

Of the above the ones I wouldn’t do without are geraniums, citrus trees basil and bougainvilleas.

A lot of mediterranean climate plants from South Africa, Australia, California and Chile are already part of the “look” of a classic mediterranean garden, even in Europe. Geraniums and Pelargoniums, Strelitzia, Coleonema, many of the Aloes, bulbs such as Agapanthus, Freesias, Babianas, etc. all come from South Africa. Australia has given us many beautiful plants as well, from Callistemons and Melaleucas to Dianella, Grevilleas, etc. South America has contributed many plants that are actually subtropical, but thrive in warmer mediterranean climates, such as Bougainvillea, Jacaranda, Chorisia, Schinus molle, etc. California contributes many beautiful natives such as our Ceanothus, Arctostaphylos, Fremontodendron, Quercus agrifolia, Washingtonia filifera, Toyon, etc. The Canary Islands have also contributed many beautiful species such as Aeoniums and Sonchus.

I suppose the classic mediterranean landscape would feature only those plants native to the geographic Mediterranean basin, such as Olives, rosemary, lavenders, myrtle, phlomis and many of the others already mentioned. Certain non-native plants have insinuated themselves into the fabric to seem native, such as Bougainvillea and geraniums, and perhaps Jacaranda. My own idealized mediterranean landscape would include many more South African and Australian proteaceous plants such as Proteas, Leucadendrons, Leucospermums, Grevilleas, Isopogons, Banksias, and succulents from around the world, especially the Agaves, Echeverais and Sedums of Mexico. I also love gardening with new world species such as bromeliads,(Aechmeas, Billbergias, Neoregelias, Dyckias, Puyas, Vrieseas), and epiphytic cacti such as Rhipsalis, so many of which are perfectly adaptable to limited water gardens here in coastal California.`

A few plants I wouldn’t be without include Protea ‘Pink Ice’, Grevillea ‘Superb’, Tabebuia chrysotricha, Chorisia speciosa, Otatea acuminata var aztectorum, Elegia capensis, Leucospermum cordifolium, Isopogon formosus, Senecio mandraliscae, Aeonium undulatum Echeveria imbricata and E. agavoides, and Achmea recurvata varieties.

Bougainvillea
Hibiscus rosa sinensis
Pelargoniums
Geraniums
Laurus nobilis
Myrtus
Strelitzia
Roses
Nerium Oleander
Lonicera
Lantana
Citrus trees
Olives trees
Vitis vinifera
Phoenix canariensis
Pinus
Ipomea
Tagetes
Basil
Erica
Rosemary
Lavenders