MEMBERS' PHOTOGRAPHS OF MEDITERRANEAN-CLIMATE plants at home and abroad
Mediterranean gardening can be challenging with no rain for three or four
months of the year and temperatures in the high 30's centigrade followed by, often very wet, winters in the low minuses. Often the soil is free-draining, which is difficult if you are also trying to be water-wise. Here we encourage members to share photographs of plants flowering in their own Mediterranean-climate gardens. We all enjoy visiting other gardens, often picking up ideas for our own and our new gallery page will only work with your help and your photographs. Photographs will be featured monthly with a plant of the month to create a catalogue of what flowers, when. Any plant in a garden or any wild flower in a Mediterranean-climate countryside,
is welcome, even if you have no name, we should be able to identify it. We love to have exchange between members so, please do email photos to Susie Warwick. |
Sending photographs
A close-up is best with a description of the flowering situation. The largest resolution file you can send is best for clarity when putting photographs on the internet. Images should have as many of the following details as possible but don't worry if you don't have all this info:
the month, plant name and area where the photograph was taken. Any other information you have about it is interesting to have.
A close-up is best with a description of the flowering situation. The largest resolution file you can send is best for clarity when putting photographs on the internet. Images should have as many of the following details as possible but don't worry if you don't have all this info:
the month, plant name and area where the photograph was taken. Any other information you have about it is interesting to have.
this month
JANUARY
Iris unguicularis (formerly I. stylosa)
Height: 30cm Spread: to 0.5m Flowers: very fragrant Winter low -5C Also known as the Algerian iris, native to Greece, Turkey, western Syria and Tunisia. Its natural habitat being lightly shaded and rocky. It thrives on neglect and thin soil. In Britain it needs full sun and dry, stony alkaline soil. At the foot of a sunny wall is a good choice.
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Solandra grandiflora
Greece, Peloponnese. Winter low -2C +50m but easily kept within bounds happy in poor soil occasional watering Not a Mediterranean plant but very definitely worthwhile growing this vigorous climber for its huge pale yellow flowers which continue appearing until May in our area. It seems to enjoy being cut back. |
FEBRUARY
Coronilla valentina ssp glauca, UK
Height: 0.5 - 1m Spread: 0.5 - 1m Soil: Any Scented flowers Water: well-drained but moist Coronilla valentina ssp glauca is a true native of the Mediterranean but is photographed here growing very happily in Edinburgh, where it flowers right through the winter. Garden centres often name it simply as Coronilla glauca, presumably for the convenience of customers. This is the variety ‘Citrina’, with lemon yellow flowers that contrast well with the small blue-green leaves. Member Michael Turner says: "The books all say it needs a warm sheltered spot but we think it is more tolerant. It even offers a pleasing scent on a calm sunny day, though we do not have many of those in Edinburgh." |
MARCH
APRIL
Tulipa doerfleri, UK
One of five endemic species of tulip on Crete, growing exclusively in Gious Kambos at an altitude between 700-800 metres. Endangered and protected since 1981. Roger says: The bulbs were picked up from Spili Plateau (Gious Kambos) in autumn some years ago. Bulbs are lifted to the surface when fields are ploughed. Planted in ordinary garden soil, in a gravel-covered bed ten years ago, they have grown and multiplied. Though the species is reportedly sterile but some have migrated! The number of flowering plants varies: this year we had some damaged plants, possibly due to Lily Beetle. |
Iris bismarckiana
Height: 30-50cm Well-drained soil in full sun Found on rocky, stony mountainsides at the edges of woodland or in scrub. Happy on heavy limestone clays or chalky rocks. It needs high summer temperatures and dryness. This one was found in north-western Jordan by Oron, is also called Nazareth iris. They form erect fans of leaves something similar to I. susiana. |
MAY
Nectaroscordum siculum
Height: up to 1.2m
Any soil Sun or shade Self-seeds freely A robust perennial with keeled basal leaves and a terminal umbel of nodding, long-stalked, bell-shaped flowers, beloved by bees. Colours combine cream, pink and green tints, followed by attractive, erect seed pods in late summer. |
JUNE
Teucrium ackermanii
Height: 15cm (6”)
Spread: 40cm (16”) Soil: neutral to alkaline Commonly known as silver germander, with silver grey linear leaves and scented purple pink flowers is very pretty falling over a rocky area. It is evergreen, drought and cold resistant down to -15°C and flowers throughout the summer. |
JULY
Plumeria rubra
Height: up to 6m
Spread: 6m Soil: well-drained, any pH A slow growing tree native to southern Mexico and Florida but widely cultivated for its fragrant and attractive blooms. Deciduous with flowers beginning to show in June, opening in early July in Mediterranean regions and repeat all through the summer into autumn scenting the evening air. |
AUGUST
Phlomis russeliana (seedhead)
Height: 60-90cm
Spread: 60cm Soil: any, well-drained Also called Turkish Sage. Evergreen shrubs with sage-like leaves and whorls of hooded, tubular flowers. Although still in flower in the UK across the Mediterranean the Phlomis is ready for seed collection. Keep you eyes open for the many plants similarly in seed. |
SEPTEMBER
Yucca aloifolia
Height: 4.5+ m
Spread: 3+ m Soil: well-drained Drought resistant Also know as Spanish dagger is a member of the Agavaceae family in the genus yucca. A multi-stemmed shrub or small tree can grow to 20m tall with a long, slender trunk and sword-like, leathery leaves. It is a native of south-eastern North America where it grows on sand dunes.
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Cascabela thevetia (syn. Thevetia peruviana)
Also known as Peruvian oleander a relative of Nerium oleander and a native of Mexico and South America. Like other oleanders all parts are poisonous. Flowers give a slight fragrance in the evening. Height: 2m Spread: 1m Soil: Should not dry out, especially when in bloom Temperature: to -10°C |