Mediterranean / Dry gardening

I was wondering if there is interest in a specialist sub-forum on the above? Some time back, Beth Chatto wrote "The Dry Garden" and their website has current info as well.

Things seem to be edging towards drier summers (I'm in the Thames Valley) and a hosepipe ban was in place last year. Such plantings and Mediterranean especially, are an interest of mine so I'm biased!

Chris

 

Hi Chris. Look in Tropical and Exotic sections here. Even Succulents and Cactus. You may find something of interest. Obviously I have lots of drought loving plants but they may not survive with you. I came from Bucks (between Aylesbury and Thame) and the IoW.

 

The climate here is definitely becoming more 'Mediterranean' with one big (and disappointing) difference......we can still get winter temps of -8°C to -12°C. There is an increasing tendency to a huge, wonderful burst of colour and scent in spring before the high temps and strong sun hit, then most things in the garden just hang on by the skin of their teeth until October or November when we get rain again.
It will be interesting comparing notes on what survives and what doesn't

 

For sure! Different climates (?) but similar situations.

 

I love cacti and succulents, having a random selection. I plan to read up more about them. The flowers fascinate me.

 

@Michael Hewett is the guy for you.

 

As I'm gradually discovering, it's not just about water. The strength of the sun plays a huge part. Shade is underestimated! Planting wirh hot afternoon sun in mind plays a big part in success or failure.

 

My garden was designed for shade 25 yeas ago.

 

I think that should read @Michael Hewett .

 

You forgot to mention cold desiccating easterly winds.

 

Or wind from any direction for that matter! I suppose the old chestnut about creating shelter belts first, then planting more precious plants applies, except IME once the roots of the shelter trees/shrubs have filled the space, it's practically impossible to establish anything else Not so much of a problem in small, urban gardens with fences and walls

 

Your right - my medium-sized suburban garden has lots of microclimates and protection.

 

Shelter belts are fine for large gardens, deep pockets and time. In smaller gardens they can become the garden as shade and competition prevent other plants establishing.
Hard fences and walls can lead to wind tunnels, they also can create turbulent airflows on the leeward side approximately h ft from the fence where h = height.
The advantage of a shelter belt is that the wind force is dissipated as it passes through rather than providing a solid barrier to the wind.

 

A shelter belt is also totally impractical on a steeply-sloping garden. Ask me how I know

 

Always pays to know what plant types thrive where, where is the patch of ground that is dryer, damper, lighter or shadier than it's surroundings.
Something else is that a lower growing tender plant may be a better fit for a spot than a taller one that always gets the top frosted or young shoots dried out.
Also timing I have some patches where if plant growth starts, say March, it gets scorched or grows only slowly; a month later (April) starting and a similar plant just takes off with no problems.