In this article, we are going talk you through 10 Hardy Mediterranean Plants that are suitable for growing in UK gardens. We are also going to introduce you to a new addition to our tropical collection – Grevillea Robusta or the Silk Oak (sometimes called Australian Oak). This is a beautiful evergreen fast-growing Australian native with soft fern-like foliage and large fiery golden orange blooms in summer – an AGM winner and a superb addition to any Mediterranean-themed or indeed urban garden.
Many of you are no doubt jetting off to warmer parts of Europe this summer; basking in the sizzling sun, sampling delicious continental cuisine and sipping local wine whilst overlooking the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea.
Exotic Mediterranean gardens
A blissful escape is the easy part; the tricky part is coming back to reality and dealing with those dreaded holiday blues! However, there is a way to combat this – why not bring the sunshine home with you by sprucing up your garden with some luscious Mediterranean plants?
All you need are bright, clean contemporary lines, drought-tolerant plants in terracotta containers and well-drained soil. Read on for our pick of the 10 best Mediterranean plants that will have your garden looking like Villa Carlotta in Lake Como, Italy…or close enough!
Exotic Mediterranean gardens
1. Olive Trees
You can’t get more Mediterranean than olives! Paramount Plants is a specialist Mediterranean nursery with an extensive selection of evergreen olive trees for sale. Olive Trees are frost-hardy, prefer well-draining soil and they do well in large pots or containers. If you can’t wait to start sampling your very own olives, then Paramount has a wonderful range of very mature Olive Trees (up to 100 years old) complete with thick gnarly trunks.
Old Olive Trees at the Plant Centre
2. Chamaerops Humilis Palms
Also known as the Mediterranean Fan Palm, this is an extremely hardy plant suitable for growing in the UK. These beautiful plants come in a variety of colours, leaf-styles and sizes. Whichever type you choose, these palms are tough, low maintenance and when established can withstand any degree of drought or wind.
Chamaerops Humilis Palm Tree (Mediterranean Fan Palm)
3. Trachycarpus Fortunei Palms
This spectacular palm is commonly referred to as the Chusan Palm or the Chinese Windmill Palm. Architectural plants are dominant in Mediterranean gardens and this palm tree with its remarkable fan-shaped leaves is an ideal choice. Flowering from May to August, this plant is fully hardy and likes a position of sun or partial shade.
Hardy Palms like Trachycarpus Fortunei (Chusan Palm) look spectacular in Mediterranean Gardens
4. Cupressus Sempervirens (Tuscan Cypress) Trees
The cypress tree has become synonymous with images of Italian vineyards in the heart of Tuscany; whilst this magnificent tree is a traditional symbol of the Mediterranean landscape, it actually originates from Persia. This is a deciduous tree that can survive for up to 2,000 years or more.
Italian Tuscan Cypress Trees conjuring up the spirit of the Med. They feature regularly in Mediterranean gardens
Cupressus Sempervirens (Tuscan Cypress) at our Plant Centre
5. Bay Leaf Topiary
Bay Leaf plants are a very attractive shrub that can be easily pruned into topiary shapes. Their dark green leaves are very fragrant, perfect for infusing your garden with an aromatic scent. Since Bay is a very slow grower, it’s ideal for container growing. At Paramount Plants we pride ourselves on our impressive range of sculpted plants; you can take a look at our full topiary collection here.
6. Trachelospernum Jasminoides (Evergreen Jasmine)
This stunning evergreen climber is the variety of Jasmine flowers that are used in perfume manufacture. Frequently found growing wild in the glorious South of France countryside, this impressive foliage will fill your garden with the heady scent of the continent and take you right back to your last holiday.
7. Agapanthus Africanus
Bold and architectural, Agapanthus are striking and they have become very popular in recent years. They also make fantastic specimen plants for pots and are surprisingly low maintenance.
Agapanthus Africanus, striking to look at, yet easy to maintain
8. Pine Nut (Stone Pine) Trees
This tall spreading coniferous tree has needle-like, soft leaves and produces brown cones which contain edible and delicious Pine Nuts. You can even combine the nuts from the lovely Pine Nut Tree (Pinus Pinea) with some tasty olives grown from your very own Olive Tree in a salad – you’ll feel as though you’re eating out in Spain or Italy!
9. Ligustrum (Italian Privet) Trees
Another fantastic example of topiary, the Ligustrum Lollipop is a very popular choice for adding architectural finesse to any garden particularly for a contemporary look. Small white daisy sized flowers appear in the Summer months. Despite their fancy appearance, topiary plants are easy to maintain and only require a trim a couple of times per year.
10. Butia Capitata Palm Trees
The Butia Capitata is one of the most popular palms in the world because of its graceful appearance, cold hardiness and bright yellow fruit – that can even be made into a delicious jelly! These palms are excellent in pots and well-draining soil. On hot days the silver blue colour is a beautiful site and cheers up any patio or roof terrace reminding us of Mediterranean holidays.
Mediterranean style gardens can work very well in our UK Climate
For further Mediterranean garden inspiration read The Beautiful Italian Lakes with Stunning Botanical Gardens.
Buy your Mediterranean style plants online now! Hardy palm trees, Olive Trees and lots more on the Paramount Plants website.
Paramount Plants – The UK’s Online Specialists for Mature Trees, Shrubs and Plants, our entire stock selection is available to buy online. We deliver nationwide throughout the UK.
Garden in Devon – By choosing the right hardy exotic plants, you can easily create a Mediterranean style garden in the UK
