The limiting factor in growing annual flowers in Mediterranean gardens is their high consumption of water. Catharanthus roseus, (Madagascar Periwinkle), can be grown on about a quarter of the water needed by most annuals.
One of the main drawbacks of growing annual flowering plants in Mediterranean and other dry climate regions is their excessive water consumption. Annuals in hot, dry summer areas require water based on at least 6mm a day, which is 6 liters per square meter. Over the year, this can amount to more than a cubic meter of irrigation water for every meter square ? an unviable and unacceptable rate, unless the area planted with annual flowers is reduced to a minimum. Catharanthus roseus however, can be successfully grown, creating a lovely carpet of color, on a third, perhaps a quarter of that amount, thereby saving you much water and expense.
Cheap is dear is a well-known and well-worn expression. Nowhere is it more relevant than in plant nurseries and garden centers.
With the rising cost of plants today, many home gardeners are understandably tempted to seek out less showy garden centers, and buy their garden plants at cheaper establishments. This is all very well, but as with most things, cheap can prove to be very dear indeed. While a cheap plant nursery is not necessarily a bad one, it should pass three tests before you consider buying plants from it.
When choosing a landscape tree for your garden, don’t focus too much on showy blooms or edible and decorative fruit. The Ash has none of these, but can be one of the most beautiful additions to your private landscape.
While Ashes are quite commonly planted in public parks and gardens, and even as street trees in some places, they are rarely seen in private gardens. Perhaps many homeowners feel the tree is a bit “common?, or lacking in showy flowers and edible or decorative fruit. This is a pity because in terms of natural shape and form, ashes can be amongst the most beautiful of landscape trees available to gardeners. Their neat, oval shape is very distinctive and virtually unique.
If you’ve never heard of the Dodder weed, this would be good place to start. For if it gets into your garden, it could ruin it!
The most problematical garden weed that I am familiar with, could quite easily be the star of some dreadful sci-fi horror movie. Commonly known as Dodder, its botanical name is Cuscuta. Originally from North America, it has spread to Europe, the Mediterranean countries and beyond. If you’ve ever seen yellow or reddish string-like filaments, wrapping themselves around low?growing plants, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. Cuscuta has been known to ruin complete crops ? it could ruin your garden.
The Jacaranda tree is probably unmatched for spectacular, seasonal color. It is not suitable though for every plot and location.
The sight of a Jacaranda tree in full bloom has to be one of the great sights in gardening. The tree is totally smothered in lavender blue flowers, as its principle flowering season is the middle of spring when most of its branches are still bare of leaves.
Growing wild in Brazil, Jacaranda is suitable for climates that have hot summers and mild winters. Indeed summer heat is a requirement for profuse blooming, while it is only hardy to winter lows of about -4c. It performs best in frost-free climates.
