How to Design a Mediterranean Garden

Use a tape measure to determine the actual size of the yard area you want to convert to a Mediterranean garden. Sketch out the measured yard or patio area on a sheet of regular paper or graph paper using the measurements as your guide.

Sketch into your design any existing outdoor items that are stationary, such as the side of your house, large trees, brick or concrete walkways, and fences. Measure these items if needed to make a more accurate design.

Consider whether or not you want to add any more stationary items into your designs, such as statuary, benches, or fountains, as well as large pots for growing dwarf trees or large plants. Mediterranean gardens tend to draw upon simplicity while still being regal and elegant, so a single, large dramatic fountain can be better than a few small fountains. Draw these items onto your sketch.

Add in to your drawing any Mediterranean-style flagstone pathways you may want to add for convenience and interest. These paths often form symmetrical patterns along your yard and leave spaces for herb gardens and hedges. Let the layout of stones within the pathways make interesting patterns as much as the path itself.

Select the kinds of plants you want for your garden and add them in. Trees typically include cypress, olive trees, lilac and dwarf citrus trees which can create shaded seating areas or run in a straight line planted evenly spaced apart. Hedges can be rosemary, azaleas or bush lavender that define borders using soft edges planted in straight lines or used to create knot gardens.

Draw into your design climbing plants such as roses, wisteria or grapes for growing along a trellis or fence in the background or as a partition. Plan to grow in pots or in the ground flowering plants such as poppies, salvia, crocus and irises, as well as culinary herbs such as oregano, mint, and basil. Keep plantings organized uniformly in your design rather than clumped together to avoid the cottage garden look.

Use your design as a guide when buying the supplies and plants you will need, as well as for planting reference. Keep the theme of the Mediterranean in mind as you make your final selections and purchases, and select items that are light in color or terra cotta. Fill in bare spaces without crowding the entire garden area.