Which plants to choose for a Mediterranean garden?

Create a little corner of Provence, Italy or Greece at home, thanks to the Mediterranean garden. Composed of heat- and drought-resistant species, they require little maintenance. From evergreen trees and shrubs to fragrant flowers, succulents and herbs, here are the Mediterranean plants you should adopt to give your garden or terrace the fragrance of dolce vita.

It's impossible to miss the oleander (Nerium oleander) when strolling along the shores of the Mediterranean. Its pink, white or yellow flowers are everywhere from May to October. In pots, in the ground or in hedges, this evergreen shrub seems to have made a place for itself in every garden and on every terrace.

But beware: oleander is extremely poisonous! In 1808, at the height of the Spanish Civil War, a squad of Napoleon's soldiers learned this the hard way. Eight men perished after having eaten kebabs skewered on oleander wood.

Cultivated on both sides of the Mediterranean for its fruit, the olive tree (Olea europaea) is also an ornamental tree. With its gray trunk and evergreen foliage, it has become one of the emblems of the Mediterranean basin, gracing terraces and gardens.

Mature specimens tolerate frost fairly well, but younger trees need to be protected from sub-zero temperatures. Do you live outside the orange zone? Prefer to grow them in pots, and bring Olivier indoors during winter.

With its tall stature, up to 30 meters high, and slender habit, the Provence cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) resembles a column. It's often used to mark the entrance to a property, line the driveway leading up to the house or add relief to a garden that's too flat.

We've renamed Cupressus sempervirens cypress de Provence or Mediterranean cypress. In fact, the tree is native to Asia. Its hardiness (down to -30 degrees) has enabled it to establish itself here, even in the harshest climates

The fragrant flowers and leaves of citrus trees smell of summer and the Mediterranean Sea. Lemon tree, Orange, clementine or mandarin... You can choose according to your tastes, the size of your garden and the weather.

With rare exceptions, such as kumquats, the Citrus genus doesn't appreciate thermometers dropping below -5°. If you live north of the Loire, you can plant your fruit tree in a pot. You'll be able to shelter your shrub from December to March.

Often associated with the African shores of the Mediterranean, the fig tree will adapt well to your Mediterranean garden, whatever its latitude. There are almost 800 species of fig tree. Here in France, the most common is ficus carica, the only European variety. The tree produces green, white or purple figs, which are harvested in summer and autumn.

Not very hardy, the fig tree hates temperatures below -10°. From December onwards, you'll need to cover it with a winter veil and elevate its pot, to avoid any contact with frozen soil.

Originally from South America, bougainvillea has seduced the world with its violet, pink, white or red flowers.

Is it because it's poisonous that bougainvillea has such a sulphurous reputation? In the West Indies, its flowers are used in voodoo potions. On Reunion Island, they are said to bring bad luck if brought into the house. These beliefs don't seem to hold sway on the Côte d'Azur. Potted bougainvilleas can be found on almost every terrace and in every garden. Not very hardy, the shrub is even grown indoors further north!

For a Mediterranean garden that's always colorful, plant a strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)! The strawberry tree flowers and fruits between September and December. At the same time, it displays its white flowers and red fruit.

This fruit tree can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C. In the first few years, mulching and a winter veil help it to withstand frosts. In regions with very harsh winters, opt for cultivation in tubs or pots.

It's hard to imagine a sunny garden without a palm tree. Many varieties come to us from southern Africa or Asia. But Chamaerops humilis was born in the Mediterranean region. It can withstand temperatures as low as -12 degrees. This dwarf palm rarely exceeds two meters and can be planted in pots or in the ground.

If you have more space, try a Canary palm (Phoenix canariensis). Endemic to the island of the same name, the false date palm is now grown all over France. While its stipe can withstand cold down to -10 degrees, the limbs freeze at -6 degrees. Remember to protect it from harsh winters.

Mediterranean gardens are synonymous with lavender! This shrub alone symbolizes Provence.

If you want to play it classic, plant true Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Want to make a statement? Choose butterfly Lavender (Lavandula stoechas). Its violet flowers are larger than those of its sister species. Finally, for a touch of originality, select a variety of white lavender, known as Edelweiss lavender or Lavandula angustifolia Alba.

It's hard to decide which of the 200 varieties of rose to choose for your Mediterranean garden. Do you live in the South of France? Treat yourself to a drought-resistant but cold-weather species such as the highly fragrant and floriferous Noisette rose or Lady Banks rose, with its climbing vines. Elsewhere, opt for hardy specimens or pot cultivation, such as the burnet rose, which tolerates temperatures as low as -20°C.

If you're worried about your roses succumbing to aphids, mealybugs or rust, look for those with the ADR label. This label rewards the most vigorous hybrid roses. The lucky ones can survive a season of Games of Thrones, the coldest winters and invasions.

Although agapanthus (Agapanthus) is native to South Africa, it blends effortlessly into a Mediterranean garden. From the first days of June, its long flowering spike (up to a meter long) is adorned with blue, mauve or white flowers.

To ensure that your agapanthus lives for many years to come, prepare it for winter. In northern regions, transplant it in spring to give it time to root before the first frost. If you're expecting a prolonged spell of frost, prune the foliage and mulch the plant.

Cistus is a surprising flowering shrub. Behind the delicate white and pink petals lies the garden's superhero.

After a fire, cistus has the power to regenerate and multiply again. As well as surviving fire, this bush is resistant to water shortage. Its kryptonite? Cold. The cistus endures down to -5°, but succumbs when the mercury drops below -10 degrees.

We all dream of an easy-care perennial that grows in gardens with poor soil and requires almost no water to flower and multiply. Lavatera exists. This little shrub puts on pink, mauve or white flowers from June to late autumn, with very little to do.

But don't expect too much of this Mediterranean plant either! Lavatera can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees. Beyond that, it's best to grow it in pots so that it can be sheltered on your veranda or in a greenhouse.

Need to hide an ugly concrete wall? Want to add a touch of cachet to your outdated garden shed? Choose bignone (Campsis radicans). This fast-growing climber 's light-green leaves and orange flowers will make unsightly walls and facades disappear.

As well as being a champion climber, bignone is an exceptional ground cover. If you prune it regularly or lay a net on the ground, it will easily cover an embankment or a sunny spot.

On the other hand, if you're landscaping your terrace or balcony, forget it! The growth of bignone, even in pots and with regular pruning, will quickly get out of hand.

You only have to look at Callistemon citrinus (or Melaleuca citrina) to understand why it's nicknamed the Bottle Rinse. In late spring and autumn, swab-like flowers bloom. Their bright red color contrasts with the mauve and pink hues of other Mediterranean plants in the garden.

Originally from Australia, Bottlebrush is not hardy. It does not appreciate sub-zero temperatures. If you don't live in the South of France or by the sea, plant it in a pot to protect it from the cold.

Delicate and fragrant, the trumpet-shaped flowers of the lantana (Lantana camara) bloom from April to October. Their color varies from variety to variety (the Lantana genus includes over 150). Pink, violet, white, lilac, yellow or mauve... They change hue as they bloom, following a well-established order: the lightest shades in the center, the darkest at the tip.

In its natural habitat in South America, the lantana is a perennial. In our gardens, it's considered more of an annual: as soon as the mercury drops below zero, the shrub loses its leaves. When the frost lasts several days, the whole plant succumbs.

Even though they come to us from Asia, the remarkable Sedum (Hylotelephium spectabile) and its pink bloom tick all the boxes of the ideal Mediterranean plant for your garden. It thrives in poor soil, is not afraid of drought and loves the sun. And best of all, it can withstand temperatures as low as -12°C!

Easy to live with, the remarkable Sedum is also multifunctional. At a height of 45 centimetres, this herbaceous perennial adds relief to your beds, borders, rock gardens and even window boxes.

With their graphic, exotic look, agaves revisit the Mediterranean garden. They are sought-after for their green, bluish or variegated foliage. Because, whether indoors or out, their flowering is exceptional. They only bloom once in their lifetime. Once the flower has faded, the plant dies.

These succulent perennials from Mexico love the sun and don't mind a lack of water. Some, like Agave montana and Agave neomexicana, can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C!

No Mediterranean garden is complete without aromatic plants. Mint, thyme, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, savory, santoline... You can sow them with the condiments you use in cooking, or simply with what you like.

Pragmatic (or lazy) gourmets will find a herb patch a stone's throw from the kitchen, or pots on the windowsill. The most organized gardeners will group them together in the vegetable garden, according to their needs for water and sunlight. Other plant lovers will prefer to scatter them according to their inspiration.

The colors of the leaves and flowers of the different species harmonize naturally with each other. If you're a fan of minimalism, you may decide to limit flowering to certain shades. There are so many varieties to choose from that you'll have no trouble sticking to your own color chart!

Before you start, organize and delimit the spaces. Set aside space for trees, flowerbeds and rose bushes, a rockery, a pergola or a trellis for climbing plants... You can even use pebbles to separate the different areas. The Mediterranean garden loves to play with heights. By mixing plant sizes and volumes, you can easily accentuate a slope or mound.

Last but not least, integrate non-plant elements into your outdoor décor. For example, invest in pierced pots in terracotta or blue ceramic. They'll be a nod to antiquity and the first Mediterranean gardens! You can also add sleek furniture and striped textiles for a French Riviera feel.