Marvelous natural beauty of the South seas leaves no one indifferent. Colorful gardens with citrus and conifers, well complemented by scenic ponds and decorated with all sorts of arches, pergolas and grottoes simply astonishing. But in our latitude to implement the Mediterranean style in landscape design is not such a simple task. After all, to revive on the site copy of the plants of the subtropics, adapted to our climate, it takes a lot of effort and patience. However, the style is built not only on green spaces. Maximum similarity of the plot with gardens on the Mediterranean coast will help designer tricks and an Arsenal of attributes.
The contents
What is remarkable Mediterranean style?
A feature of this style is wide application in the design phase of different species of natural and processed stone, marble chips and sea pebbles. This is because under natural conditions the gardens are located near the coast and often have a stony character. Mountainous terrain was the reason for the wide spread in design of various retaining walls, staircases and terraced slopes.
Mediterranean style combines elements of Greek, Roman and modern art, is considered one of the most beautiful styles of landscape design
The Mediterranean garden is especially attractive with rich colours, the lushness of the plants and abundance of all kinds of architectural decorative elements
The most popular plants have always been citrus, pistachio, olive trees and palms, which in addition to the decorative function pleasing fragrant and juicy fruits. In such gardens became widespread the art of making the topiary – making plants original forms through a special haircut. Hedges with conical and spherical bushes are present «the highlight» garden.
Among bright colors of flowering plants effectively shaded comfortable outdoor furniture. Wrought iron and wooden benches and tables to have a pleasant pastime and recreation
Of the attributes of the most popular ceramic amphorae, vases, pots and various forms for the planting of flowers. Put them in the garden, placed on the lawns in a horizontal position and even half dropwise into the ground. Strokes «antiquity» attach garden figures in the form of ancient vessels and broken amphorae, decorated basket and dekorativnolistvennye plants.
Draw the plot in the same style
Choose plants for the garden
Despite the large number of admirers of Mediterranean style, a limiting factor in its selection for the design of the suburban area is the difference in climatic conditions. A heat-loving shrubs and trees, comfortable feel sultry in summer and calmly tolerate soft neznayou winter, do not survive in our climate zone.
Fill the garden southern charm and to convey the spirit of warm countries are able not only palms that can be grown as container crops, burying them in winter indoors.
The unique atmosphere of a Mediterranean garden able to create evergreen emerald conifers: yew, juniper, pine, arborvitae, fir
Branches will shelter from the scorching sun in the hot afternoon ornamental foliage plants: viburnum, Magnolia, boxwood.
Worthy of framing ornate trees and shrubs will be blooming flowerbeds, planted with fragrant roses and colorful perennials. At the foot of the trees will look great lawn of herbs: Melissa, chicory, Prairie onion, mint, sage.
Sunny and hot climate of the Mediterranean suggests the presence of drought-resistant plants.
Drought-resistant trees, as if defending himself from the burning rays are masked by painting their leaves in silvery shades
A good addition to the picturesque landscape will become a pear willow leaf and different types of shrub Elaeagnus, which is popularly often called «Oliva». For example: Loch attractive silvery foliage and small fragrant flowers dotting the branches on the ground which later formed quite edible and sweet in taste olives.
To match the design with mother of pearl foliage, perfect periwinkle, mahonia, cotoneaster. And instead of heat-loving cypress trees can be planted less demanding to light and heat the columnar junipers and arborvitae.
Mediterranean atmosphere will help to create a small planted groups of plants purple, blue, red and orange colors.
Lavender – ideal in the design of open glades on the site. But if climatic conditions do not allow to grow this heat-loving beauty, a worthy alternative to it can be Veronica or mullein scepter-shaped
Well, what is a garden without vines? These elegant climbing plants adorn arbors, canopies, pergolas. Southern sun-loving vines can be replaced by the honeysuckle, the clematis or parthenocissus.
To create the plot of a topiary instead of the traditional padunov and cypress can be planted the spirea, barberry, Privet. They also easily tolerate a haircut, allowing shaping of the crown original «live» decoration.
Architectural landscape elements
To enjoy the contemplation of beautiful pictures comfortably ensconced in a cozy alcove or graceful arches, entwined by the flowering vine. Appropriate to complement design will be live from the arches of the crowns of trees, canvas awnings and wood trellis.
Beautifully tiled paths, with them filtering through the lush greenery, take in the garden, calling to relax outdoors and enjoy the enchanting beauty created by nature
Special features of the arrangement of the relief will give all kinds of terraces. To divide the area into separate zones and to create an atmosphere of detachment and solitude will help hedges. A low stone wall, forming a perfect background, better to make a rough surface, filling them with purple clematis varieties or colours «under masonry».
A significant part of Sredizemnomorskaja garden are water devices: streams, cascades and fountains. Spreading in the garden a drop of life-giving water and filling it with sounds of bubbling water, they’re doing a country station a true Paradise
Spouting out of the ground the keys, decorative ponds and pools bring «sea» notes in a beautiful Mediterranean garden
A small fountain in the Roman style, decorated with figures of animals and framed vases with flowers — the perfect option that will give a unique appearance of the site. Not less colorful it will look and wall-mounted fountain in the form of a lion’s head with open jaws.
The decoration of the suburban area will serve as «vintage» sculpture and antique clay ceramic light colors
The patio as key element of the design
Cosy courtyard patio is quite a popular landscaping element, used in the design of the garden in Mediterranean style. Equip it on a southern slope, protected from cold North winds. Ideally, the Playground should open a view of the sea. Failing this, it is desirable to provide that it opened with beautiful views of the emerald lawn, garden, hills…
The feeling of proximity to the sea will help to give styling a patio decorated with white as the foam, a sky-blue and blue shades
Association with the sea will cause the pieces of furniture decorated with fabric in white and blue stripes, painted in this color scheme flower pots.
In the design of the site and the arrangement of the roof of the gazebo using only simple materials: a straw, reeds and the soft tile. No frills, the main thing — convenience. But, focusing on Northern conditions, it is desirable to provide an arrangement of walls that will protect the ground from snow and rain.
The coverage areas often perform stone masonry, if desired, successfully replacing it with a wooden flooring or terracotta tiles
Wooden staircase, swing chair, sun loungers and parasols also complement the design of the rest areas. Organically fit into the overall style and rustic furniture in warm colors. For decoration of the open area is used planted in large containers beautiful container plants: thuja, Laurel, oleander.
All garden items are good combined with each other and together and also to highlight the temperament of the Mediterranean garden.
Finally, we invite you to watch a video on how you can decorate your dining room in this style:
