Mediterranean landscape design

What are the elements of a Mediterranean landscape design?
For Houstonians longing for the atmospheric qualities of, say, Tuscany or the ancient Greek era, no garden fills that desire like a Mediterranean landscape design. Our clients travel abroad and come home wanting to recreate a setting that they fell in love with in Italy, Morocco, Spain or Greece. At Exterior Worlds, we think every garden should have a bit of fantasy in it.

As the name implies, Mediterranean gardens are dry-climate gardens. Think of the semi-arid, rocky hills of Austin, but with olive groves. These gardens have the same attributes—use of axis, linearity, and central focal points—of formal landscape design. Their most distinguishing feature is in their use of materials; limestone or gravels for pathways, for example. For plants choices, we suggest junipers, Italian cypress, dwarf yaupons and other blue-green or gray plants.

What are the features of a Mediterranean landscape design?
The architecture of the house needs to blend with a landscape done in a Mediterranean theme. You can achieve this goal with the intelligent positioning of a hardscape feature: perhaps a wrought iron garden gate as can be found in Barcelona or a limestone garden arch. Your goal is to create an Old World ambiance.

When working in this style, the home and landscape can be further connected through selective use of plantings. The choice of plants, in fact, is the main definer of this style:
• Herb gardens. Herbs, especially attractive in terra cotta planters, enhance the Italian influence and create enticing smells. Ahhh…basil, rosemary, sage and thyme.
• Vegetable gardens. The original Mediterranean gardens were quite practical and were extensions of the ubiquitous farming cultures. Therefore, a vegetable garden fits right into this landscape, providing sustenance and color.
• Trees and shrubs. Given the sunny climate from which this style arose, it is no surprise that shade is extremely important—making it a natural for Houston. The twists and turns of live oaks are very fitting in this garden. Other tree choices are olive trees, Italian cypress and orange or lemon fruit trees.
• Vines. Use creeping vines like wisteria and grapevines.
For material choices, you can choose among several different notable elements suitable for residential gardens done in the Mediterranean style. To name just a few: stone, weathered bricks, terra cotta tiles, flagstone, tumbled travertine, wrought iron, classical statuary, Roman columns, and wooden beams.

What other elements work in a Mediterranean landscape design?A residential garden done with Mediterranean flamboyance is refined and relaxed, capturing the easy living of the outdoors. In choosing the spaces and hardscapes to further enhance the surroundings, consider these options:
• Outdoor water fountains. Water is a critical part of the Mediterranean lifestyle, so consider fountains that are in a Romanesque, Italianate or rustic style.
• Swimming pools. Within this theme, classic shapes, like squares, rectangles and circles, work well for pools. We often suggest that our clients combine them with an outdoor water fountain.
• Outdoor kitchens. A focal point of outdoor entertainment, a summer kitchen provides a natural gathering place.

We would love an opportunity to consult with you in creating a Mediterranean Garden Design for your Houston backyard. Exterior Worlds has been providing the residential landscape services and garden design services discussed above for the Memorial villages Tanglewood, Bellaire, River Oaks, West University and the greater Houston, area since 1987. Contact us at 713-827-2255