Tag: ground cover
-
Phyla (Lippia) nodiflora var. canescens
I am officially in love and over the moon with Phyla nodiflora! I first noticed this tiny plant along one of my walking routes, greening and blooming prettily all summer long, regardless of heat and drought, along an asphalt road through the vineyards. I figured even then it must be the perfect lawn substitute and…
-
Lomelosia minoana
Also called Scabiosa minoana, this native of Crete is simply a joy to grow in a Mediterranean garden. I bought this plant from Jardin sec and planted it in December 2023. It has been growing wider and heigher since, blooming profusely in soft mauve from May through July. The cream-colored seed heads stay all through…
-
Sedum & Sempervivum
Sedum and sempervivum are very drought and frost tolerant plants and are sold as such by garden centers. However, all will not work in our particular Mediterranean climate and I can only kick myself for omitting “due diligence” research before trusting garden center descriptions. Petrosedum sediforme This true mediterranean native grows all over this garden…
-
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Unsung hero of the dry garden. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – the “blue-flowered leadwort” – is a native from Western China. It grows and grows, unfettered by heat or drought, and blooms from June through September in a very beautiful bright blue over somber green leaves. The leaves may also turn red in the fall. I had…
-
Cistus
Cistus, along with Helianthemum, Halimium and Tuberaria, are members of the rock rose family. They are native perennials of the Mediterranean, North African and Middle Eastern regions. These small evergreen shrubs can be found all over the garrigue here which is what convinced me to plant them in our garden. They bloom mostly in April…
-
Osteospermum
I’m normally not that crazy about daisies but I’ve grown to love Osteospermum or Cape Daisies for their bright and cheerful look and drought-resistance. They come in many colors and shapes with either simple or spooned petals, some spread out over the ground, some grow like little shrubs, and they are more or less hardy.…