Tag: perennials
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Calendula
I don’t really like “hot” colors in flowers, like yellow, orange, or red. But there are some I can’t resist. Among them is Calendula officinalis or Marigold – one of my alltime favorites. Marigold thrives in a Mediterranean Garden When we first arrived here I tossed a package of calendula seeds in the vegetable garden and…
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Acanthus mollis
A true love-hate relationship. I had always wanted Acanthus in the garden for its beautiful flower heads and foliage – until I had one. In our first spring here I discovered it half-hidden under a thicket of painfully spiky and ugly-looking yucca and I really felt sorry for it. Poor thing. No light, no air,…
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Lilium
One of my very favorite flowers – I was so happy to discover, that – despite their elegant looks – lilies will work in my garden! Lilium Regale Lilium regale is reputed to be an easy-to-grow lily because it is very robust and tolerates most soils, as long as they are well-draining. In June/July each bulb…
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Convolvulus
Convolvulus cneorum One of those absolute specialists for poor, dry, alcaline, clay, sandy or gravelly soil and full sun exposure. The evergreen plant makes a little bush of about 50cm high and 70cm wide. It is hardy up to -10°C, when well established and in well-drained soil. Olivier Filippi gives it a drought resistance rating…
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Phlomis
Phlomis is another one of those plants I always found a bit boring – before I had a Mediterranean garden. Now I’ve grown quite fond of them although they do not bloom particularly long, mostly in May. Their foliage and spent flowers are quite attractive and they are allelopathic plants, meaning that they discourage the…
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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 my garden. They bloom mostly in April…