Mediterranean Landscape

Mediterranean gardens feature plants full of texture and color. In order to achieve the Mediterranean look select plants with blue/green foliage and purple or yellow blooms. It is also important to include plants with strong structure that will help define the garden. Evergreen trees and hedges are popular for this purpose. Mediterranean gardens are best known for their casual elegance. Inspired by the coastal areas of Spain, Italy and France, this style of garden combines relaxed materials and plants with formal accents and designs. Terra cotta pots, tiered fountains, statuary, Roman columns and bocce ball courts are all hallmarks of Mediterranean gardens. The plant palette of a Mediterranean landscape is made of plants that provide texture, color and structure - think lavender, cypress trees and ornamental grasses. A Mediterranean inspired landscape will transport you to another world each time you step out your door. The smell of the fragrant herbs, the sound of trickling water and the warm color of terra cotta will make you want to take a seat and enjoy a glass of wine. All that you'll be missing is a view of the glistening blue ocean. Icons of the Mediterranean Garden Because of the ideal climate, the people of the Mediterranean lead an outdoor lifestyle. For hundreds of years they have been gardening, socializing and dining outdoors. Three icons of the Mediterranean garden that have developed and spread are: bocce ball, tiered fountains and herb gardens. Bocce ball is an Italian game that dates back to the Roman Empire. Similar to lawn bowling, the object is to get your ball closest to the jack. The game is played on a long narrow court with two, four, six or eight players. Learn more about bocce ball courts. Tiered fountains can be found in nearly every European courtyard and plaza. Rome's Trevi fountain is arguably the most famous in the world. Tiered garden fountains may be fairly simple or covered with intricate carvings and statues. Herb gardens are incredibly popular worldwide. During the medieval era, monks and nuns living near the Mediterranean became experts at growing herbs to use for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Today this practice has become common for individual families. Having an herb garden allows you to easily add the fresh flavors of French and Italian cooking to your meals. Learn more about food gardens.