Mediterranean garden ideas — planting, materials and design inspiration for a low-maintenance space

It's hard not to feel inspired by Mediterranean garden ideas. Not only do they evoke fond memories of trips to warmer climes, they are designed to be low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and are conducive to all areas of outdoor living.

"Mediterranean-style garden design will provide sheltered areas from the sun and heat. They tend to be low maintenance, using gravel and stone instead of a luscious grassy lawn, which may not be able to survive the Mediterranean climate," explains Ali Wooldridge, outdoor lifestyle expert at Gardenesque.

"They are highly adaptable spaces that can cater to both large social gatherings, as well as being a calming retreat to relax in. The colour scheme uses warm earthy tones, as well as pale stone to create a light and heat reflecting space," she says.

Adding Mediterranean style to your garden

Garden designer Emily Crowley-Wroe explains that Mediterranean-style garden landscaping ideas will evoke the characteristics and feelings of countries around the Mediterranean Sea such as Spain, Greece and Italy.

"It achieves this through its colours, scents, textures, materials and plants. The style is relaxed and conducive to al-fresco living," says Emily.

1. Choose drought tolerant plants

Drought-tolerant plants are key to a Med-style garden. However it's important to note that not all plants will survive our cold, wet winters without help.

"Agave is one such plant which brings fabulous structure, can be sourced in different sizes and varieties," says Emily Crowley Wroe. 

"Mature Agave can survive cold winters but not prolonged wet, so use these in containers, either planted in the ground to be lifted and stored or as containerised features around the garden."  

"Echiums grow throughout the UK and, though tricky to overwinter in some regions, can self seed. Or treat it like an annual and enjoy it’s fabulous flower-packed stems in summer. A fabulous low-maintenance garden plant," she says.

Emily Crowley-Wroe

A professionally trained garden designer living and working in the Cotswolds. She's been a keen gardener and plant enthusiast ever since owning her very first garden in Oxford 20 years ago.

2. Consider ditching your lawn

It's fair to wonder whether Mediterranean garden ideas are suitable for a UK climate. But according to Emily Crowley-Wroe they suit our changing climate with drier summers and wetter winters.  

"If you have stony/poor soil many Mediterranean plants will respond well to such conditions. Replacing sodden lawns with gravel garden ideas can help improve drainage," she says.  

Incorporate plenty of planting to make up for your lack of green lawn ideas. "Some non-native plants help extend the seasons with earlier flowering plants providing a boost of food for pollinators," says Emily.

She suggests utilising gravel, shell mulch, boulders, pebbles, stone and sand to create the right environment for Med plants where drainage is key.

3. Add a water feature

"Mediterranean-style gardens are very tranquil, and this can be replicated through water features to create soothing sounds of trickling water. Either a fountain, dome, or glazed pitcher will work wonderfully," says Ali Wooldridge.

Emily Crowley-Wroe recommends sourcing water features that harvest rain from roofs to preserve precious water that could water plants or provide water for wildlife in those drier months.

"You can get creative with these water features using reclaimed materials such as an old bathtub," says Emily.

Shop Med-style water features

4. Feature traditional terracotta 

"Terracotta is usually a great starting point for Mediterranean garden ideas. This could be used in clay garden paving or wall tiles or simply in planters, urns or water features," says garden designer Katrina Kieffer-Wells.

"Also clay pavers give a warm earthy feel. Encaustic patterned tiles can give an additional Mediterranean feel and come in a wide variety of colours giving you year-round interest even when the garden is bare in winter," she says.

Katrina Kieffer-Wells

Katrina has been a keen gardener since childhood. In 2002 she set up her garden design company Earth Designs. Since then Katrina and her husband Matt have grown 230 designs and 90 builds under their belt.

5. Add shaded areas for comfort

Emily believes that shady patio ideas for relief from the sun are an essential component of a Mediterranean garden. 

"In my show garden I used four multistem Autumn Olives (Eleagnus Umbellata) to create a shady seating area or you could use a pergola or arbour trained with plants such as grape vines or wisteria," says Emily.

For pure value we like this Dark Grey Sliding Retractable Roof Garden Gazebo Patio Deck Aluminum Pergola with Sun Shade Canopy 3x3M at B&Q for just £300.

6. Use natural coloured materials

Emily Crowley-Wroe advises using materials and plants that evoke a sense of place and mimic the conditions of a mediterranean climate. 

"Buff coloured gravels, shell much and sands can be used to create garden paths and planting areas," says Emily.

For more of a contemporary take on these Mediterranean patio trends, Molly Woodward-Moor, creative director at Stone Superstore suggests you break up large areas of expansive paving by interlaying gravel or grass between your slabs to create a smart, stepping-stone-style pathway.

7. Use fragrant purple plants

"For planting schemes I think grey foliage and blue and purple flowers such as Saliva and Agapanthus. Greys, creams and dusty pale greens will blend in when it comes to furniture - keep it light, as anything dark will look too austere," says Harriet Worsley of  Worsley Design & Consultancy 

"There is an excellent Mediterranean garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, which I've often used for plant inspiration for this sort of garden," she offers.

The scent of lavender and rosemary is typical in Mediterranean garden ideas. Not to mention these herbs make great flavour additions to summer cocktails.

Harriet Worsley

Garden Designer Harriet Worsley set up Worsley Design & Consultancy after studying Garden Design, Planting Design and studying for her RHS Certificate of Horticulture. She worked as Landscape Designer for a firm in Notting Hill, and as a weekly volunteer at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where she honed her plant knowledge. 

8. Bring Mediterranean style into a courtyard

To elevate a small garden into a Mediterranean oasis, Sarah & Sally Wilkie, Founders of Home Barn recommend sourcing beautiful furniture and accessories. 

"Invest in larger one-off finds, such as reclaimed wooden furniture that can be used year after year. The uniqueness of the rustic wood with its aged detailing will add a sense of characterful, Mediterranean luxury, and when exposed to the elements this one-of-a-kind piece will age beautifully in the sunshine," says Sarah.

"When decorating your outdoor seating area, choose charming accessories that will add interest. Bottle vases or antique urns can be filled with flowers from the garden and foliage of varying heights, adding contrast for an alfresco outdoor space that will wow guests,” she says. 

9. Consider an outdoor kitchen

With Mediterranean culture often emphasising outdoor living and dining, Oli Webb, Director, Cullifords suggests that an outdoor kitchen would make the perfect feature. 

"Mediterranean gardens typically showcase lots of natural materials, such as stone, which blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Warm, inviting spaces are the backbone of a Mediterranean style garden and an outdoor kitchen will provide the perfect focal point,” says Oli.

10. Use white and light fabrics

Andrew White, outdoor expert at Harbour Lifestyle comments:  “To create an outdoor space inspired by the iconic Mediterranean coast, it is all about choosing pieces that remind you of sun-drenched seaside holidays."

"Think bright white parasols overlooking a glass topped dining table filled with sundries, olive oil, and freshly baked baguette," he says.

11. Add ambience when the sun goes down

"Lighting is really important, so that you can enjoy sitting and eating in a garden outside in the evening - just as you would abroad in Italy or Spain on hot summer nights," says Harriet Worsley.

"Opt for soft patio lighting that brings a warming glow as this will help to create ambience and create a cosy atmosphere," says Reilly Gray, Co-Founder, Suns Lifestyle.

"Hang festoon or string lighting above and supplement this with solar-powered lanterns and lamps to create a layered lighting scheme whilst creating a beautiful glow," says Reilly.

FAQs

How can I make my garden look Mediterranean?

Ali Wooldridge, outdoor living expert at Gardenesque gives her top tips for using Mediterranean garden ideas in your own outdoor space.

• Utilise a mixture of warm earthy tones: and light stones throughout to create the illusion of a larger and brighter space. You can incorporate these tones through terracotta pots and planters. I’d even recommend painting a feature wall one of these rustic colours to create even more visual interest.
• Create a shaded social area: as this is also very Mediterranean, and will be perfect for the warmer summer months. Italians, for example, have a wonderful tradition for family gatherings and outdoor dinners, so designing a versatile outdoor dining/living space is a must.
• Plant fragrant herbs: for an authentic sensory experience, fill borders and table herb planters with rosemary, lavender and oregano that when walked past, will fill the air with calming, enjoyable smells.
• Grow Mediterranean trees: such as olive trees, palms and yuccas in original Italian terracotta pots and stone effect jars. While lemon citrus trees should be kept inside over the colder months in the UK, during our warmer summer days these can take pride of place on your patio and will bring beautiful pops of yellow to your colour pallet.

Ali Wooldridge

Ali founded Gardenesque five years ago from a desire to transform her London city garden into a more artistic, rich and exotic green space. The brand grew out of the belief that every garden can be brought to life by beautiful gardenware that accentuates the natural beauty of your plants, and creates an organic extension to your home

What are the best colours for a Mediterranean garden?

"Look to create a Mediterranean style garden with a mixture of warm earthy tones, such as terracotta and burnt oranges, as well as rustic stone," says Ali Wooldridge, outdoor living expert at Gardenesque.

"You want to avoid using dark colours as Mediterranean gardens are light and bright, aiming to reflect the light as much as possible. Use contrasting accents of vibrant blues that mimic the Mediterranean sea, citrus yellows and lavender to add depth and interest to your landscape," she says.

Larger garden features like pergolas and outdoor kitchens will be quite pricey additions to your space. 

However gravel is a budget friendly material if you're using it for patios and pathways. Not to mention it's easy to lay yourself. Take a look at our budget garden ideas for inspiration on cost-saving on your outdoor living.