Bring that summer holiday feeling home with a Mediterranean garden. However, the variety should be selected very carefully, because tree species from the regions around the Mediterranean are not hardy here. Fortunately, however, there are species that can plant themselves as hardy alternatives. Read how you can make your garden Mediterranean and at the same time winterproof.
Mediterranean trees are usually not hardy
Only grow Mediterranean trees in pots
Trees such as lemon and orange trees, olives, pines and cypresses are typical of the Mediterranean garden. However, these species are not hardy here and would not survive even light frosts outdoors. For this reason, you can only cultivate these typical Mediterranean trees in sufficiently large pots that are outside over the summer months and must be cleared into winter quarters in time for winter. Mediterranean trees and shrubs overwinter best in a bright cold house, i. H. at temperatures of around five degrees Celsius.
Suitable trees for the Mediterranean garden
If the constant clearing and clearing of the Mediterranean trees is too time-consuming or if you do not have a suitable place for wintering, you can use very similar but hardy trees instead of Mediterranean trees. We have compiled a few examples for you here.
Instead of an olive tree: willow-leaf pear
The willow-leaved pear is particularly striking because of its narrow, lanceolate leaves that are silver-grey on both sides and long-lasting. The slow-growing tree develops into a tree up to nine meters tall, mostly with a short trunk, with horizontal to overhanging branches and grey-white, felt-like shoots.
Instead of the real laurel: laurel cherry
The real laurel, whose leaves are used in the kitchen as a spice laurel, can in principle also be cultivated in Germany. However, the plant is very sensitive, which is why the laurel cherry (also known as cherry laurel) can be used as a substitute. But be careful: the leaves and berries of this evergreen shrub are poisonous!
Instead of lemon and orange trees: bitter orange
The three-leaf orange or bitter orange (Poncirus trifoliata) is a suitable substitute for lemon and orange trees, at least in more sheltered locations. Young trees need winter protection, but with increasing age they become more frost hardy.
Instead of cypresses: juniper or false cypress
Instead of the cypresses that are not hardy here, you can plant columnar juniper or false cypress varieties, such as the rocket juniper.
tips
In addition to the trees mentioned, the Judas tree, boxwood and black pine are also suitable for Mediterranean planting.