The design style has been developed in response to the specific demands of gardening in the Mediterranean climate, with its hot, dry summers and mild, humid winters. It also depends on the amount of time you wish to dedicate to enjoying your outdoor space while maintaining it.
Cool, shaded areas for resting, spaces for sunbathing, an orchard, and terraced slopes left wild with fragrant rosemary and drought-resistant herbs – these are the solutions to delight the eyes and soothe the spirit.
The plot is large enough to be divided into several individual zones, each separated by plantings. I see the potential to make each zone distinct so that you feel a sense of surprise as you move from one to the next. The “rooms” of the garden are connected by a network of gravel paths, ensuring that your walk among the trees and shrubs reveals new, beautiful views at every turn.
On the analysis plan, I marked existing features and areas that could be used for different purposes, considering the conditions (sunlight, aspects, terrain, views) and your suggestions.
In the preliminary plan, I divided the area into five distinct zones: the lowest part with the pool, the open area on the terrace for sunbathing, the spot with the pergola for afternoon shade, the lower section with the fire area for evening relaxation, and the orchard. The zones are connected by gravel paths and separated by hedges, shrubs, and trees.
As you walk from the house to the garden, you enjoy the beautiful view of the city to the east and the magnificent tree as the focal point in the lowest part near the pool to the north. This could be a Jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) – a beautiful tropical tree that produces fragrant clusters of purple flowers in a panicle shape. In the first few years, it will need watering to establish itself. You may also plant a less demanding tree, Acacia dealbata – a spectacular evergreen tree that grows quickly, requiring no watering except for a good soak two or three times in the summer. To access the lower part with the pool, I would suggest creating steps (see plan) from the same type of stone as the dry stone wall. The corner would be the ideal spot to install the steps, with one side closed off by the wall, which is very practical. The recommended size for the steps: riser height of no more than 20 cm (preferably 15 cm), tread width of at least 30 cm. To soften the hard lines of the terrace (dry stone wall), it would be good to use cascading flowers falling over the terrace below – Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus, Bougainvillea. Around the pool, you can randomly plant drought-tolerant herbs like Stipa Tenuissima, Phlomis fruticosa.
On the terrace, there is an open space with low shrubs used as ground cover – Lavandula dentata L., Erigeron karvinskianus, Convolvulus cneorum, Thymus, Bougainvillea. You can leave some gaps among the plants to allow movement and the installation of a hammock for sunbathing. No tall plants here to keep the view of the city unobstructed.
On the other side of the gravel path, there is a spot where it would be nice to create a shaded pergola. Such an area does not require much space – 5 m by 3 m, for example, would suffice. This freestanding wooden structure is very simple, consisting of vertical wooden posts and horizontal wooden beams. The pergola can be covered with wooden slats. The structure can be installed on a wooden deck, which is very comfortable for sitting, stretching, or doing yoga. You can choose from a wide range of garden furniture to place here. You will find yourself retreating to this quiet spot in the afternoon and evening to admire the city to the east, painted in the golden colors of the sunset. The pergola roof is stunning when covered with plants. I would suggest using Jasminum officinalis here with its very fragrant flowers and vines, which remain among the best open screens. Roses, of course, are the traditional pergola covers – cultivars of Rosa banksiae or Rosa fortuneana are particularly useful as they tolerate drought quite well and are more or less evergreen in mild winter climates. Behind the pergola, I recommend planting two large trees – Ficus carica, Eucalyptus gunnii, or Olive trees to give the area dappled shade in the summer. Under the trees, it is possible to create a lawn with the help of tropical grasses adapted to heat and drought – Bermuda grass. It is extremely drought-resistant and can survive summer heat without water. Bermuda grass relies heavily on sunlight hours to grow vigorously and lush. On the north side of the pergola, it would be wonderful to plant a Citrus limon – here, in the semi-shaded area, it would feel more comfortable.
Based on the photos, I understand that the part of the plot with the gate is lower than the part with the pergola. I would suggest making steps here to descend and extend the path further. The difference in levels would be better emphasized with a row of evergreen shrubs like Laurus nobilis (Laurel) and Myrtus communis (Myrtle). These are the best shrubs for hedges as they require no watering, are shade-tolerant, adapt to most soils and conditions, and can be trimmed into various useful shapes. With these wonderful shrubs, you could create a low-maintenance evergreen walkway leading to the gate. In a Mediterranean garden, you cannot do without the typical Italian cypress. It protects the garden from drying winds, its shade keeps summer temperatures low and reduces evaporation. It is narrow and tall, so it casts a long shadow, it has no greedy roots, so you can garden beneath it. If you plant them near the small house, you could add shade to the orchard and help the fruit trees rest in the dappled shade of the tall cypress trees. They also bring vertical lines to the garden, adding a specific ambiance to the Mediterranean garden. In the open space here, you can create a very simple fire pit using local stones. I am sure that in the evening, it would be so pleasant to relax here and admire the magnificent landscape and the starry sky. The ground around could be randomly covered with grasses like Festuca Glauca, Santolina pinnata, and Muhlenbergia capillaris.
Regarding the orchard, there is an excellent location near the small house. If possible, it would be ideal to plant trees like Platanus behind the dry stone wall – they will protect the garden from cold northern winds and create a screen for the site.