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.
Acacia, viele
Akazie |
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
Ringelblume |
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, alle
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
Eukalyptus |
 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
Freesie |
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
Lorbeer |
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, viele
Geißblatt |
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
Steineiche |
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
Rosmarin |
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. Fertilizer and summer watering do more
harm than good. |
|
Fettpflanzen, viele |
 All
cacti are succulent (Latin for "juicy") but not all succulents are cacti.
Succulents have an enormous potential to survive long droughts due to their
ability to store water in fleshy leaves and stems. We never water our
agaves, all they get is the winter rain. Succulents are mostly tolerant of
dry, poor ground and prefer excellent drainage. All benefit from dry mulch,
gravel. Succulents need a dry resting period. The only maintenance they
require is an occasional clean-up. Some tolerate pruning. |
Viburnum tinus
laurustinus |
The evergreen drought-tolerant laurustinus grows wild in
open sunny thickets or coastal oak woodlands. |
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