Gardening on the Costa del Sol.
One thing that is immediately striking when you arrive on the Costa del Sol is the sheer amount of joyous colours in flowering plants! From the abundant Oleanders that crowd the central reservations of the motorway to the Jacarandas colouring the sky purple, all year round there are delightful plants blooming by roadsides and in the beautiful tropical gardens for which many prestigious urbanisations are known.
Home gardening in the Mediterranean obviously brings its own specific challenges, with the lower rainfall being the greatest and most obvious. However, this doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle and with common sense, spectacular gardens can be created. Many people don’t have gardens, so what about those who only have a small terrace? Can they too enjoy the benefits of flowers and even fruit and vegetables? There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to grow decent tomato plants in pots, for example, making sure they are frequently watered. Some citrus plants also thrive in pots and there is nothing nicer than picking and eating a mandarin or kumquat that you’ve grown yourself! Of course, if you have a larger garden, you can let your imagination run wild.
The drier conditions dictate that damper soil loving plants will not grow, but that doesn’t mean to say that your choices of planting are drastically restricted. It is worth noting that the soil is generally clay, so it will be hard to work if left to dry out too much and the preferred method of watering is once every couple of days. It is advised to give fewer soakings but thoroughly, rather than little and often. This way the plants acclimatise better to the drier conditions. Arid and semi-arid plants are ideal for the Mediterranean garden, with fuzzy, furry, waxy or silvery leaves. These either reflect the sun or are less susceptible to the sun’s rays. One of the most famous flowering plants that thrives in these conditions is the Hibiscus, which comes in a dazzling array of colours, from the palest cream to a brazen scarlet. Succulents and cacti also thrive and produce brightly coloured displays but bear in mind who will be visiting – some cacti and yucca can be decidedly unchild friendly! From the simplest of geraniums in a pot to the huge trees which line Marbella’s streets, there is something for every plant-lover!
If you would like to create your own Mediterranean garden, contact us at and we will help you find your ideal spot!
