Ask the expert: Mediterranean Gardens
Suttons Seeds has been inspiring gardeners for over 200 years. Whatever your level of gardening experience, they have a shed-load of detailed growing guides, advice and monthly tasks and gardening videos to help you and your garden grow.
We decided to put their experts to the test. Each month we will ask their experts to answer your greenhouse/glasshouse growing questions.
Q. I visited a Mediterranean garden, how can I recreate the look and feel in my glasshouse planting?
A. What better way to imagine yourself in warmer climes, whilst the rain lashes down on a gloomy winter’s day, than creating an indoor/outdoor Mediterranean grove in your glasshouse. All it takes is a careful choice of plants plus some unglazed terracotta pots and sympathetic lighting.
Citrus trees are a must for any Mediterranean garden. Easy to grow and look after they’ll be very happy growing in large pots. Enjoy their attractive dark green glossy leaves inside during the colder months and then move them outside for the summer. Early in the year your citrus trees will produce masses of tiny, highly fragrant white flowers. The perfume will waft around your glasshouse, taking you straight back to those warm evenings by the Med.
Lemon trees are the most popular of the citrus’ and rightly so. Plucking a lemon from your own tree and plopping a slice into the drink of your choice is a delight. However, there is no need to stop at lemons. Other easy to grow citrus plants include:
- Oranges & Mandarins – stunning fragrance and perfect for marmalade lovers
- Grapefruit – anyone for breakfast?
- Lime – the perfect partner for those lemons
- Kaffir Lime – for a taste of Thailand
For further advice on growing citrus trees please read the Suttons Gardening Grow How website.
Other Mediterranean garden-style plants to include are:
- Orange-scented Thyme – it’s always useful to have thyme growing within easy snipping distance of the kitchen. With grey-green leaves, pink-white flowers and a delicious orange perfume this plant is as attractive as it is useful.
- Red geraniums – at least one red geranium in an attractive pot is a must. Perhaps standing proud on a red/white checked tablecloth. Easy to grow and very forgiving when you forget to water them, it is possible to keep geraniums flowering for several months.
- Olive tree – yes, it really is possible to grow your own olives. The plants can be kept small and neat by pruning or left to grow and spread. It all depends on the size and height of your glasshouse!
- Lavender – pot some lavender up in well-drained compost and keep it on the windowsill in bright sunlight. You’ll be rewarded by the attractive grey/green foliage, the lovely fragrance plus the ability to use it as a tasty culinary herb.
- Pomegranate – grow your own pomegranates from seed and enjoy orange-red flowers followed by the edible fruits.
Once your indoor Mediterranean garden is complete it will be the perfect place to sit, relax and plan next year’s holiday.
If you have a have a gardening question you’d like to ask the experts, please email us at marketing@solardome.co.uk
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