Mediterranean / Dry gardening

Cistus ladanifer seems like a really easy one to grow, has just flowered about four days after planting. It's an interesting plant, used in two fragrance types, Chypres and Ambers.

Labdanum - The Perfume Society

Sounds like it can get quite invasive in some parts of Spain and Portugal! I was sure I remembered seeing it as a child in Cyprus (my birthplace) and was right, it has naturalised non-invasive status in Paphos.

Nick

 

That is pretty Nick. Yes, where I live near Messines we have the lilac one all over the hillsides.

I didn't know you were born in Cyprus. By the way, good to see you back. Your absence was noted. Hope all is well.

 

There are so many useful Cistus! This link is for the nursery in France...Accueil Pepinière Filippi. Sorry it's in French, but they do export and if anyone wants a hand with translation perhaps I can help I got many of my original Cistus varieties from them and although the flowering is relatively short-lived, they're wonderful, drought-and-bomb-proof shrubs.

 

Given the temperatures here are at Mediterranean levels at the moment (29C), I'm finding that the marigolds we put in terracotta pots are wilting within 24-36 hours of soaking. Back to pelargoniums and others next year methinks, including perhaps Mexican fleabane.

 

I think a lot of people forget that Med plants actually go dormant in mid summer, and perk up again with Autumn rains.
Most plants only really flower well in their growing season and be it Med, Mexico or S. Africa they tend to flower in the damper times.
So if our temps and soil moisture resembles the dry season they will shut down.

That's why without wet summers a lot of this stuff complains, if we have hot dry summers they dont grow well and then our Autumns and early winters are too cold.

 

Which is where the sun-loving, flowering plants like Mesembryanthemum (or whatever it's called nowadays), Gazanias etc. come into their own 'Annual' Salvias (farinacea), Scaevola, Nemesia....even Pelargoniums.....they'll all become perennial in the right conditions and provide flowers through the summer.

 

Well you say that, but I find without watering they tend to just sit there and do very little, and most of those will not become perennial in most of the UK.

 

I spotted white lavender stems amongst an old Hidcote re-planted two years ago in a partial shade border today. I've never seen that before, and it's lovely.

 

I have a full sun area with a trellis and wonder what your suggestions would be for quick-growing plants suitable for containers on the patio. It's for privacy screening to allow us and our nice neighbours more privacy, and yet look natural. Many thanks.

 

Do you want a temporary summer screen or an all-year-round one, Chris? Eccromocarpus, Cobaea, Ipomoea or Convolvulus ..all fast growing annuals. For something more permanent, Trachelospermum survive quite well in containers and are evergreen with scented, jasmine-like flowers in white, cream or pink. I'd avoid honeysuckle...it's a greedy plant and IME does better in shade with plenty of moisture. The viticella Clematis like sun and will stand dry conditions but look deadly in the winter. Best to cut them right down, which defeats the object a bit.

 

Excellent point, @noisette47 - summer screen is the main need, so your annuals recommendations look interesting. Hope all's well in your neck of the woods. Thanks, Chris

 

It's hot, dry and France is shut for two months We go with the flow.....as long as my spring keeps topping up the irrigation pond, all is well Noisette x

 

I was just going to say its a bit late now to start for a quick covering.
Might be worth it for next year if you go for a perennial.