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Index : Flowers - Perennials
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- 1. Perennials for Mediterranean-styled Gardens - Top
- There are a number of perennial plants commonly grown in the Mediterranean region that preform very well in hot sunny locations here in the desert Southwest. In addition to Mediterranean-styled gardens, these perennials look and blend just as well with desert landscape plants. Here are a few of the best:
Artemisias (Artemisias) are a group of small herbaceous, shrub-like plants that can best be described as resembling Dusty Millers (Dusty Millers)on steroids! They have the same white to silvery gray, deeply cut leaves and come in a range of sizes from the miniature, 8 inch tall Artemisia versicolor ‘sea foam’ (Artemisia versicolor ‘sea foam’) to larger growing types like A. absinthium (A. Absinthuim), which grows to a height of 4 feet. Artemisias (Artemisias) are useful as edging and border plants, in rock gardens and in shrub borders.
As a group, Artemisias (Artemisias) require regular irrigation and well-drained soil. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and require little in the way of fertilizer. Larger growing types do benefit from being trimmed back in late winter, just prior to spring growth. This will keep them more compact, full and leafy.
Santolina (Santolina) is a small herbaceous perennial that comes in two forms, silver and green. Silver Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus) (Silver Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)) is a stiff, dense plant with short, needle-like silver leaves. It grows in a low, mounding fashion to a height of 12 to 18 inches and a spread of 2 to 3 feet. In late May, the plant is covered with small, yellow button-like flowers. Green Santolina (Santolina virens) (Green Santolina (Santolina virens))has much softer, bright green foliage with a well-rounded form. The leaves are needle-like, but unlike Silver Santolina (Silver Santolina) these are long and slender, providing a light, feathery appearance. A smattering of small yellow flowers appear on stem ends in late May. Green Santolina (Green Santolina) grows to a height and spread of about 2 feet. A more compact variety "morning mist' is available.
Both forms of Santolina (Santolina) are adapted to full sun and are very heat tolerant. Green Santolina (Green Santolina) maintains it’s neat, rounded form without pruning. Silver Santolina (Silver Santolina) looks best with a trimming immediately after flowering. Both do well with weekly irrigation during hot weather and
Lavenders (Lavenders) are the quintessential perennials for Mediterranean gardens. Their attractive gray-green to silver green foliage also blends well with desert landscapes. Lavender (Lavender) flower spikes provide one of the most sought after fragrances of all time. Spanish Lavender (Spanish Lavender) is probably the best choice among lavenders for general landscape use. It's purple flowers are the showiest in bloom and have good fragrant. If your interested in flowers for cutting fresh or for drying then choose the French Lavender (French Lavender), also referred to as Lavandin (Lavandin), the Lavender (Lavender) of Provence. It has very fragrant light purple flowers, and attractive gray-green foliage.
Lavenders (Lavenders) are well adapted to heat and are reasonably drought tolerant. During hot weather, established plants should be watered every 7 to 10 days. During cooler weather, November to March, water monthly. Unlike many other perennials, it’s been my experience that lavenders are not bothered by rabbits, ground squirrels and other wildlife. About the only thing that will cause Lavender (Lavender) to fail is over-watering!
Other distinctly Mediterranean perennials that preform well in our local include; Rosemary (Rosemary), Germander (Germander) and Greek Yarrow (Greek Yarrow) in full sun to partial shade locations and Agapanthus (Agapanthus), Strelitzia (Strelitzia), Sage (Sage) and Thyme (Thyme) in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona,
520-626-5161.
- Updated: February 11, 2007
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