The Mediterranean look

Not always easy to replicate in Ireland, because blue skies and baking soil isn't our natural state. However, we have put together a collection of plants from the Mediteranean region which, when sited and planted correctly, will thrive in Ireland and conjure up happy memories of sunny holidays. Inclued are the absolute classics such as Lavender and Rosemary, which make great small hedges or evergreen shrubs, as well as the Rock rose (Cistus) with its paper thin flowers. Eryngium bourgatii (Mediterranean sea-holly) has startlingly blue flowers, held on stems up to two feet tall, which makes a very good companion plant for the billowy, yellow-flowering Anthemis tinctora. Convolvuls cheorum, Santolina chamaecyparissus and Stachys byzantina all have striking silver foliage as well as long flowering periods. This scheme would be particularly suited to places where people will brush against the foliage, much of which is scented. It would make a good border agaisnt a sunny, south-facing wall, or could also be arranged around a front door where they could flank a path, arranged symmetrically. To complete the look, you could have two or three pots planted with Mediterranean plants such as olive or bay trees.