photo credit: johnthurm
Most people wish to have a green garden replete with large lawns similar to those in other regions of the world. Perhaps this is exacerbated in Cyprus, which is one of the world’s more arid areas. We all have have a penchant for instant gratification, and when applied to gardening, the planting of tropical plants and vast lawns provides a quick solution, but a “noisy”, rather uniform look. Entire neighbourhoods look almost identical, with little or no space left for imagination. Millions of philodendrons, yuccas and tropical palms have been planted everywhere, with consequential over-consumption of precious water. What then is the alternative? The answer is quite simple:
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photo credit: RobW_
My selection for a mediterranean garden would be:
Jasmin and honeysuckle trained on a high horizontal trellis to provide shade
Bougainvilleas, Citrus, Pomegranate and Olive treesBasil (small leafed bushy basil used for rubbing your hands on, not for cooking)
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.
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photo credit: hortulus
A Dryscape is all about planting and gardening with water conservation in mind. A good idea in Cyprus. Cheaper and sympathetic to local cuture.Although a drought tolerant garden requires less water, it still needs regular watering. But you will water less frequently, and most drought tolerant plants are hardy and can handle the stress of less water quite well.You will find a list of common drought tolerant plants that are available in Cyprus below. PLANTING YOUR DROUGHT TOLERANT GARDEN
Begin by designing the area you’d like to Dryscape. Using a piece of paper, draw out the areas you have to plant in and the space available. Some things to remember:
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photo credit: templar1307
The Mediterranean climate takes its name from the sea which is one of its dominant traits. Its outstanding features are its hot and dry summers with mild winters bringing variable amounts of rain. A short spring and lengthy autumn are transition seasons. Mean summer temperatures range from 22 - 27 degrees centigrade, but midday temperatures in July and August easily reach or exceed 35 degrees, especially inland. Mean temperatures in January, our mean coldest month, range mostly from 5 - 10 degrees, but may drop to freezing and below.
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