Coastal Gardening in Cyprus
photo credit: Rita Willaert
Common to all coastal gardens is the coastal humidity and its salt content. A shelter belt protects the garden from drying winds. Arctostaphylos’ roots soon become established in sandy soil, quickly covering large areas. Colourful annuals are unrivalled for shallow soils. Many palms or sword-leaved plants tolerate an occasional flooding. Often succulents survive the best. All fulfil an important stabilization function.In a coastal garden a very early decision must be if you wish to erect a windbreak to create a more pleasant, calm micro-climate. By planting a mixture of trees in shrubs in a line perpendicular to the direction of the most damaging and prevailing winds you can make a tremendous difference, Aside from not being blown over in the winter when you go outside it also it also vastly increases the range of plants available to you. Due to your proximity to the sea there is a naturally mild climate, so you can now stuff your garden full of tender plants which before would have unable to take the salty winds. Unfortunately there is no such thing as an instant living windbreak, it may take many years for a large windbreak to reach an effective side, so until it is ready you must either wait or garden in a style more suited to exposure to the wind. The use of artificial windbreak materials are useful for speeding establishment of young plants in a windbreak but are no substitute in exposed sites in the long term. The use, as one famous gardener put it, of ‘Christians-to-the-Lions’ if you can bring yourself to do it is invaluable, stick quick growing, and very tough large shrubs out front, like Salix caprea and Olearia lineata ‘Dartonii’ to soak-up the worst of the damage until the main windbreak behind can get started and then take them out. Another major drawback of a windbreak is that by definition it places itself between you and your view. Where as a windbreak will allow for a greater range of options for your garden in the long term, a garden without will allow you to start on your final concept almost immediately as the level of shelter is nearly as good as it will get. In such cases options are limited to plants that not only suit the conditions of the site as laid out in the previous section but are also able to stand the full force of the wind. Garden size and time constraints often limit people to the later option, but within this there are many, many fine plants, some familiar, many less so and some wholly unexpected. One can also combine the two somewhat by using mini-windbreaks of small groups of robust shrubs on their own or with a couple of small tough trees to create smaller protected areas in their lee, without sacrificing much of your view.
Acacia
When evergreen mimosa (their common name, not Mimosa) flower in winter, they are a dream come true. Requirements are a somewhat acid soil, perfect drainage, sunniest position. Soft growth, encouraged by over-watering or fertilizing, is liable to wind damage. Useful as rapid, soil-binding cover. Prune after flowering, even severely, for compact growth.
Aloe arborescens
aloe
Succulent, drought-tolerant aloe is among the least demanding plants grown in Mediterranean climates, but good drainage is essential. Practically maintenance-free, aloes happily cover difficult areas.
Calendula officinalis
marigold
The good-natured, annual marigold, useful in new or in beginners’ gardens, cheerfully flowers all year with little water in any sunny soil.
Callistemon
bottle-brush
Evergreen, drought-tolerant bottle-brushes like well-drained, sandy soils in sun.
Chamaerops humilis
mediterranean fan palm
The only palm native the European continent, it grows in sandy or rocky soils in full sun or dappled shade from seashores to high altitudes. It even tolerates snow. Single-trunked or in clumps, it slowly reaches 4 metres, in gardens occasionally more. Amber inedible fruits follow creamy spring inflorescences. Leaf petioles are spiny.
Cistus
rock rose
In sun, spring bloom covers rounded, evergreen shrubs, which thrive in adverse conditions of poor, stony soils in regions dry in summer. Fibrous shallow roots are good for erosion control, but drainage and mulch are vital. Pampered plants do not live long.
Cordyline australis
cabbage tree
This evergreen rosette plant with sword-like leathery leaves and scented, creamy flower panicles in early summer, grows single-trunked to 2 - 3 metres, from where branching starts. Appreciates sunny locations, deep soil, ample mulch and summer watering.
Coreopsis
coreopsis
Useful, drought-tolerant annuals or evergreen perennials with summer to autumn bloom, mostly yellow. Cutting down after bloom gives a second flush of flowering. These plants suit coastal gardens with well-drained light, sandy soil in full sun.
Eucalyptus ficifolia
red-flowering gum
The evergreen, drought-tolerant gum species are legion. Juvenile leaves often differ from mature ones. Best in deep sandy soils and full sun with good air circulation. Eucalyptus tolerates short-term frost, more so with age. Highly appreciated for fast growth, some trees increase 2 metres a year. Select carefully, little comes up below their canopy.
Freesia refracta
freesia
Well-known freesia delights passers-by with exquisitely scented spring bloom. Plant corms 5 centimetre deep in porous, well-drained garden soil in a raised bed in well-aerated, sunny location to keep flowers dry. Leave to bake in summer.
Hakea
pincushion tree
Easy evergreen pincushion trees with attractive winter or spring flowers suit many difficult conditions. They tolerate poor, dry soils, coastal wind and salt spray, inland heat or cold. They require good drainage, as do most drought-tolerant plants. If conditions suit them too well, several may turn invasive, requiring careful control.
Kniphofia
red hot poker
The flowers of this perennial stand torch-like above slender tufted leaves. Tuberous roots like an open sunny aspect, humus-rich soil, excellent drainage and ample mulch. Clumps increase gradually until crowded. Divisions flower the second year.
Laurus nobilis
sweet bay, true laurel
The aromatic sweet bay may reach tree-size, but shrubby 3 - 6 metres are more likely. Shiny leathery leaves of kitchen merit are typical of hard-leaved evergreen woodlands. It tolerates coastal conditions, but appreciates mulch and well-drained soil in sun or shade.
Lavatera maritima
tree mallow
Easy lavatera tolerates poor summer-dry soils. Invaluable in coastal gardens and among rock. Light pink flowers arise from grey felted leaves.
Lonicera, most
honeysuckle
Mostly undemanding climbers in full sun or half shade, often scented. All have wide temperature tolerances, varying water demands and transplant readily.
Phoenix canariensis
canary date palm
The magnificent wide-spreading canary date palm is very drought-tolerant once established. Although slow growing, it ultimately reaches 9 - 12 metres. It assumes its architectural role the moment it is planted.
Phormium tenax
new zealand flax
An easy evergreen perennial, appreciated for its giant, sword-like leaves. Towering flower stalks, magnificent silhouettes against a blue Mediterranean sky, carry red to yellow flower clusters. Any mulched soil will suit.
Quercus ilex
holm oak
The evergreen holm oak in times past covered most Mediterranean lands. They grow in small stands on northern slopes, with age spreading 15 - 20 metres, wider than tall. Near-horizontal branches on oldest trees carry an enormous weight. Roots go deep and spread widely. Holm oaks grow on poor even rocky soil, gradually enriching it with decaying foliage.
Rosmarinus officinalis
rosemary
An often-used Mediterranean native, the aromatic rosemary is variable. From autumn to early spring in the wild you will find many flower shades, also pink or white. Rosemary is never a problem, if planted on hot sunny ground, sharply drained soil.
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