Plants for Mediterranean Climate Gardens
Trevor Nottle
Rosenberg Publishing, 2004
, ISBN-10:1877058149
, 91/2 x 7 in / 241 x 178 mm
, paperback
, 128 pages
, 100 colour plates
, includes index
Over the last 25 years, The intention of this book, and the series that follows, is to introduce to readers a wider range of plants suited to gardening in Mediterranean climate areas of the world. Since the 1970s appreciation of the challenges and pleasures of gardening in Mediterranean climates has grown rapidly, sufficiently so for a thriving society to operate on an international scale. This has supported a number of books on the theme that explore the plants, style, history and personalities of the genre. Yet there remains ample room to write more, especially concerning the enormous variety of plants as yet scarcely known that can adorn our gardens.
It is now widely accepted that the Mediterranean climate regions are those found around the shores of the Mediterranean itself, much of coastal, central and southern California, Cape Province in South Africa, the southwest corner of Western Australia, coastal and southern South Australia, and much of the southeast corner of Australia including Victoria and southern New South Wales, and the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. There are, in addition, many other parts of the world that offer climates that fall within the broadest boundaries of the concept-cool, wet winters and long, hot, dry summers.
This book surveys 100 attractive plants well adapted to hot, long dry summers and mild wet winters arranged in categories for:
Shade makers
Russian Olive; Tree of Chastity; Rothmania globosa; Bridal Veil Broom; + 6 more including natives of Australia, South Africa and California
Statement makers
Romneya coulteri Nolina recurvifolia; Cycas revolute; Agave villmoriniana; Aloe plicatilis; Cordyline australis Purpurea; Yucca whipplei; + 3 more stunners
Structure makers
Rhagodia spinescens; Atriplex (salt bush); Clivia; Pelargonium tomentosum; + 6 more to define the style
Scent makers
10 high performance scented plants including Tree gardenia and Persian lilac
Silver super stars
Helichrysum petiolare; Artemisia x 'Powis Castle'; Artemisia x 'Lambrook Silver'; Santolina pectinata; Euphorbia rigida; + 4 more
Surprising super specials
Tree peonies; White Plectranthus; Echium wildprettii; Tree Lupin; and 6 more plants of distinction
Useful too
the Olive; Pomegranate; Jujube; Asian Lime tree; Carob; Duranta repens (hedge); Carissa (hedge); Date palms; plus two more edible and useful hardy plants
Successful succulents
10 of the best for garden/ landscape use
Perfect perennials
10 drought tolerant and guaranteed performers
Motley crew
10 reliable cottage garden and heritage survivors
There is a picture per opening page with a short description plus tips about using the plant with other plants and general culture. A short introduction sets the tone by explaining the mechanisms plants from Mediterranean type climates have developed to enable them to succeed. A short chapter gives up-to-date information on the latest sub-surface irrigation systems
Trevor Nottle is an internationally known author and lecturer especially renowned for his book Gardens of the Sun in which he introduced the key concepts necessary for sustainable and successful gardening in Mediterranean climate regions of the world. With this book he expands on the range of plants that add to the pleasure of gardening in Mediterranean climates. Chosen for their drought tolerance, thriftiness in difficult circumstances and diversity, there are plants for every purpose. Trevor Nottle is also the Manager of the Torrens Valley TAFE, Centre for Horticulture in Adelaide, South Australia where under his leadership sustainable water practices in gardening, landscape and production horticulture are taught across the curriculum.
