Mediterranean Landscape Design

As the morning mist burns off, wine vineyards and olive trees role along the valley’s of the Tuscan wine country. Limestone rocks dot along a meandering gravel path terminating at a sitting area under an arbor swing of fragrant grape wisteria. These are the images that bring us back to the timeless beauty of Mediterranean landscape gardens. These are formal garden designs expressed by the topography and palette of arid Greece, Rome, Crete, Tuscany and Spain. Mediterranean garden designs are traditional gardens relating to the classic garden design forms of Greek and Middle Eastern times. As opposed to English Garden design and Modern Garden design, Mediterranean landscapes repeat the elements of classic garden design from the ancient times-axis, rooms and points of interest for the viewer of the garden to sit, ponder, and wonder. It also utilizes classic form in an arid climate so both the color palette (blues, greens, limestone rocks, stone) as well as garden forms (compact, dry, rugged) give this style its old world charm.

Mediterranean Challenge in Houston Landscaping
How can we bring the beauty of a Tuscan villa or quaint grotto garden to our Houston backyards? How do we capture an arid climate and rolling hills on a flat, humid gulf coast property? Mediterranean gardens best fit homes of a traditional style. Stucco exteriors, arching windows and door entries of the Spanish style, southern formal Louisiana plantation style, or the ranch style house updated with a white or taupe exterior best compliment Mediterranean Garden Design. The formal design is the back bone of your Mediterranean garden. The first steps would be the spatial definition of lawn, path, pool and the garden focal points such as arbors, pergolas, statuary. In pulling off the arid and dry climate in Houston Texas, think of material selection in terms of what is reminiscent of “arid and dry.” You might want to think in terms of 50 percent green to 50 percent stone, gravels and paving. There are of course palm trees, oranges, and other tropical plants in the Mediterranean Garden but the overall look is sparse and minimal. Remember the Gulf Coast climates humidity and heat will create an overly lush garden very quickly.
Elements of the Mediterranean Garden at your Houston Home Pools - coping material selection could be lueders limestone, with a rough edge or peacock pavers. The pool finish may be a lighter bluish white or even a tan. You could use a mix of pastel washes for the pool tile-browns and terra cottas. The overall intent here is weathered, washed out-aged.
Water Fountains - could be a statuary-possibly either weathered or broken for character. If this is too pretentious and intentional a series of small fountains with a water channel connecting them together could be built of stone.
Arbors and Pergolas - materials of natural pine or rough cedar with a grey stain painted white to match the house or washed blues to attract the eye. Rather than the typical star jasmine running over the arbor maybe try passion vine, wisteria or coral vine.
Plantings- arid compact planting colors of blue greens, grays, and compact textures. Here is a short list of Houston plantings for Mediterranean gardens:
 Evergreen wisteria
 Junipers-shore juniper, Hollywood juniper, Leland cypress, Italian cypress (provide good drainage for all.)
 Will Fleming Yaupons, dwarf yaupons, pittosporums, lantana (caution all these plants need excellent drainage)
 Zoysia grass over St. Augustine

Screening Hedges- of Japanese yews, Leland cypress, and holly trees. Hedges of boxwoods and yaupons can be planted in rows or with gravel in-between relating to rows of wine vineyards.
Rows of plantings could curve to simulate changing topography-this is metaphorical of course.

Gravels and Stones- white limestone or patterns of contrasting gravels. Also, integrate large flagstones into existing paths in random patterns of 5’s could create a rustic look and add interest.
Large bowls and Rustic Garden Art –Rustic terra cotta jars and small fruit tree bowls. These could be planted with fig ivy running down the surface or creeping rosemary’s. Also old world statuary could be added to pedestals that relate to the home. Authentic old world pieces are worth their investment because they add so much old world charm and could be accented with night lighting in the evening.

Contact Exterior Worlds for more information about Mediterranean Landscape Design for your Houston home.