10 perennials for a Mediterranean garden: The best flowers for a sunny oasis
Updated: Jun 11, 2023
Mediterranean gardens are so dreamy. Especially if you live with long, dark winters as we do here in Denmark. The warm sun, arid landscapes, and charming cobblestone paths of places like Italy and Greece just scream relaxation.
And the best part? The plants in these gardens are tough as nails, able to withstand the dry climate and conserve water like pros.
Are you planning to bring some Mediterranean magic to your backyard? Then let me share the secret to success… choose the right plants!
To make it easy for you, I've got a list of the top perennials that are perfect for a Mediterranean garden. Grab a pen and get ready to take notes, because these plants are about to take you on holiday.
10 perennials that thrive in a Mediterranean climate
With summer just a few months away, it’s time to transform your backyard into a sunny Mediterranean paradise. (No passport required.)
Before you get started, make sure to keep style and climate in mind when picking out your plants. The right choices will have you sipping a cold drink and taking in all the natural beauty surrounded by your very own Mediterranean garden. So go ahead, make thoughtful plant choices like the ones below, and get ready to enjoy the ultimate outdoor relaxation destination.
Dianthus
This delicate flower is known for its fragrant, showy blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. It’s also known for its hardiness and ability to withstand dry conditions.
Verbena
Verbena is a trailing plant that is perfect for growing in containers or as a ground cover. It produces bright, colorful blooms in shades of pink, purple, and blue.
Campanula
Campanula is a bell-shaped flower that comes in shades of blue, purple, and white. It’s a great choice for adding vertical interest to a Mediterranean garden.
Salvia
Salvia is a fragrant herb that produces spikes of vibrant, blue flowers. It is also a great choice for attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.
Gaillardia
Gaillardia, also known as blanket flower, is a bright and cheerful flower that produces daisy-like blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
Lavender
Lavender is a staple in Mediterranean gardens for its fragrant, silvery-green leaves and spikes of purple flowers.
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a hardy flower that produces large, daisy-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and orange.
Allium
Allium is a bulb plant that produces large, round clusters of colorful flowers in shades of purple, white, and yellow.
Agastache
Agastache is a fragrant herb that produces spikes of brightly colored flowers in shades of pink, purple, and yellow.
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a cheerful, daisy-like flower that produces bright, yellow blooms.
Looking for more bold, yellow perennials? Browse the best sun-loving yellow flowers here.
How to incorporate perennials into a Mediterranean garden design
When designing a Mediterranean garden, it’s important to choose plants that will complement the style and climate. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a garden that resembles your neighbor’s instead of a holiday resort in the south of France.
Here are some suggestions for incorporating perennials into your garden design:
Use containers — Containers are a great way to add color and interest to a Mediterranean garden. Stick to warm terracotta for that Mediterranean flavor. And consider drought-resistant perennials, such as verbena or salvia, in containers for a pop of color. Rock gardens could work, too. Consider adding one to the corner of your garden.
Create a low-maintenance garden — Mediterranean gardens are usually low-maintenance, so choose perennials that are drought-resistant and able to store water in their roots. By choosing the right perennials, such as Dianthus, Verbena, and Campanula, you can create a thriving garden that is both beautiful and low-maintenance, giving you more time to relax in the sun than walking around with a watering can.
Add vertical interest — Mediterranean gardens often feature stone walls, so consider planting tall perennials, such as campanula or allium, along the walls for vertical interest. Here are a few gorgeous vines with blue and white flowers for extra oomph.
Use color to create interest — Choose perennials in bright, bold colors, such as gaillardia or coreopsis, to add interest and color to your Mediterranean garden. Reds, yellows, and whites are always welcome.
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