Mediterranean Gardening Books

Morning All,

With the year moving on, I am going to start preperation on my patio soon - we are looking for a med theme (our favourite part of the world!) for this and quite a lot of the rest of the garden and I was wondering if anyone had any good books they could recommend on the subject - particularly with an eye to compatibility with the British climate

There are quite a few on Amazon etc, but very few reviews so I thought I'd see if anyone has any opinions?

Cheers,

Dave

 

Maybe this one is a bit the wrong way round, if you see what I mean - but I think it's worth a look for ideas - it's cheap! the RHS DK paperback - Drought-resistant gardening. 0751306975

 

Dave
Your question is a very complicated one. Every opinion on "Meddy" seams to be different from every other. All the usual gardening mags have blue painted wood in their "med" gardens. I have never seen blue painted wood round the med, so it's horses for courses. Look at books on exotic plants, large foliage plants, or very colourful plants, and pick your personal selection that creates the Med "Feel" that you want. Browse in the larger garden centres book section furiously and shamelessly.
Blue wood may look good in bright meddy sunlight, but I think red posts and yellow trellis suits the UK light better.
Nik

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback - I am quite keen not to just stick a palm tree or a yucca in a pot and call it a med garden!

I have plenty of ideas, but my plan is not just for a quick fix (a bit of wood, a few pots etc), I'm going to be building appropriate walls, working with different flooring etc, so I'm really planning to make a go of it! :D

My main challenge, as Nik says, is create something that looks good but not totally out of place with the limitations of the British climate. I have read plenty on the subject, but I'll also be scheduling a few library visits before I start I think!

 

Dave,

Can you tell me what the flowers are on your member picture.I used to love these when I was younger but don't seem to see then about anymore.

 

look like livingstone daisies to me!! mesembryanthemum! (although I've seen different names on the seed packets)

 

Thanks Nixon,

I actually remembered the daises bit bit not the rest, not that this was difficult-lol
How on earth do you all know and remember the plant names ?? I can't even pronounce then let alone spell them !

 

I lived for a few years in Southern Spain (Marbella). The plants I gained the greatest pleasure from were Bouganvillas, Hibiscus,and the beautiful Datura. All of these are available in this country, but the best of these varities are only available out there. So pack your bags and go and have a look at these beauties, and bring some back with you.

 

A bit off track I know Big Daddy but as I have a freind going out to Spain later in the year I would be interested to know what the varietys of bouganvilla and datura are.... never know I may just get a pressy

 

Dave
Do include in your plans somewhere warm to overwinter your less hardy plants. They will creep into your garden, honest. A minimum of 3 or 4 �°C is a good general purpose target. Bougainvilleas and Datura will flower all winter at that temp, and lemons will thrive too.
Some broad leaved tall bamboos can look good as background plants in a med garden, and they are hardy too.

Nik

 

Mims
Re your query as to what varieties of Bourganvilla, Datura, and Hibiscus I could recommend. Afraid you just have to walk around the markets and see something you find striking and bring it away. The Spaniards never bother to label anything ( they probably dont know a name anyhow). I would think the Hibiscus is a form of H. Rosa-Sinensis, but in our garden centres they do not have the big beautiful blooms that the Spanish one have. With the Bougainvilleas it is essential that you get a double-bract variety such as 'Cherry Blossom' or 'Los Banos Beauty'.
I dont think you will find these in your local GC, so get out Plant Finder if you want to trace one.