Who doesn’t love the relaxed, carefree gardens of the Mediterranean? Just thinking about that part of the world makes me want to call my travel agent. France, Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco all have abundant sunshine, low humidity and mild winters, perfect for so many of our favorite plants. If only we had those conditions here. I’m so envious!
Alas, Pennsylvania is not Greece. Many of us have given up on having a similar garden. Clearly, growing Mediterranean plants reliably in zone 6 is all but impossible without a greenhouse, cold frames and plenty of labor, not to mention a healthy budget.
This doesn’t mean the average gardener in zone 6 has to forsake the look entirely. With clever substitutions, a convincingly Mediterranean-like garden (albeit on a small scale) is easily within reach — provided the spot gets good sun. And it’s not that hard to do.
It does take planning though, and perhaps a one-time investment in hardscape. Here’s how.