Mediterranean garden ideas

1. Fill your garden with beautiful Mediterranean tiles

The architecture of ancient art can be brought right to your doorstep with our outdoor tiles. These sleek and modern garden tiles are not only stunning to look at, but they are also highly durable, slip resistant and designed to withstand all weather conditions. These tiles won’t crack in the frost or fade in the sun. 

2. Create a shaded seating area for alfresco dining

Imagine enjoying a steaming cup of coffee as the sun gently rises over your garden or unwinding with a glass of wine in the cool evening air after a long day. A shaded seating area is the cornerstone of a true Mediterranean garden, offering a comfortable and inviting space to relax, mingle, and soak in the beauty of your surroundings. Use a pergola with a retractable canopy to provide shade throughout the day. To enhance the ambiance, weave in fairy lights and encourage climbing plants to gracefully drape over the structure.

3. Capture the classic Mediterranean style with terracotta pots

Terracotta pots and gorgeous clay planters are a classic feature of Mediterranean gardens. Used as a focal point, they come in all shapes, colours, and sizes that you can scatter around your landscape. Use terracotta or colourful ceramic pots to plant Mediterranean flowers like geraniums, petunias, and hibiscus, adding vibrant pops of colour to the garden.

4. Embrace the charm of gravel

In hotter climates, grass lawns can be tricky to maintain – especially when there’s a scarcity of water. With a gravel pathway or seating area, you can create a low-maintenance landscape while providing a natural and rustic look.

Gravel is ideal for Mediterranean gardens because it does not absorb and retain heat like paving slabs, helping to keep the area cooler. This makes it more comfortable for walking or sitting, especially during the warmer months. Ditch the thirsty lawn and embrace the charm of gravel. Create a beautiful, low-maintenance oasis that celebrates the true spirit of the Mediterranean.

5. Add ambience with outdoor lights

Extend the balmy evenings with enchanting outdoor lighting. String twinkling fairy lights overhead, creating a canopy of warm light perfect for alfresco dinners or cosy evenings under the stars. Scatter decorative lanterns throughout your garden, casting a soft, inviting glow on pathways and seating areas. Let the gentle light transform your outdoors into a nighttime retreat, inviting lingering conversations long after the sun has set.

6. Create a cosy spot to relax and unwind

No Mediterranean style garden is complete without a place to lay and relax in the sunshine. Let the worries of the day melt away as you recline on a comfortable outdoor sofa and immerse yourself in the tranquility of your garden. Enjoy a good book, listen to calming music, or simply savour the peace and quiet surrounded by nature's beauty.

7. Enjoy the sound of flowing water features

The sound of the sea is a soothing backdrop to those beachfront holidays we all want to recreate. A water feature can invite that peaceful hum into your garden, whilst creating movement and a unique focus for your space. Incorporate a water feature such as a small fountain or a mosaic-tiled pool to add a sense of tranquility to your garden.

8. Pick the perfect hardy Mediterranean plants

Plants that thrive in hot climates are the star of Mediterranean gardens, bring some of that style to your own home. Classics of the region include fragrant herbs like Rosemary, tranquil tones like Lavender, and evergreen trees like Yucca. Most Mediterranean plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, so make sure you plant them in a sunny spot. Use gravel, mulch, or rocks around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Check out our pick of the best drought-tolerant plants to get some more planting ideas for your Mediterranean style garden.

9. Add structure with clipped hedges and topiary

In Mediterranean gardens, neatly trimmed hedges and playfully shaped topiary plants have always been a key design element. These "plant fences" and sculpted shrubs add structure and definition to the space, separating different areas and guiding the eye through the garden. Tall, slender cypress trees and spiral-shaped topiary elements add vertical interest, balancing the lush, sprawling nature of other Mediterranean plants.

If you’re seeking a low-maintenance alternative, artificial topiary and hedges are readily available, offering a similar aesthetic without the constant trimming needs. Whether you choose the natural or artificial route - you can bring the charm of a Mediterranean garden to your own space.

10. Elevate your garden with raised beds

Elevate your planting options and create visual interest with raised beds.

Putting raised beds in your Mediterranean garden is a win-win situation. Not only do they elevate the visual appeal, but they also provide practical benefits that ensure the health and flourishing of your plants. Allowing you to cultivate a thriving oasis of vibrant colours and captivating fragrances.

With raised beds, you have complete control over the soil composition. Allowing you to tailor the mix to suit the specific needs of your Mediterranean plants (which often need well-drained, slightly alkaline soil).