Category: plants

A View on Gardening in Cyprus


Creative Commons License 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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Posted in garden design, mediterranean region, planting scheme, plants on Feb 23rd, 2008, 3:23 pm by Ed.     

A Selection for your Cyprus Mediterranean Garden


Creative Commons License 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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Posted in mediterranean region, planting scheme, plants on Feb 23rd, 2008, 3:17 pm by Ed.     

Dryscape Gardening


Creative Commons License 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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Posted in mediterranean region, planting scheme, plants, water on Feb 23rd, 2008, 3:08 pm by Ed.