Mediterranean gardens are characterized by their ability to adapt to adverse conditions, such as prolonged exposure to intense sunlight, resistance to strong dry winds and water scarcity. In this type of garden, plants that can survive and thrive in these difficult conditions are used.
By using plants that are either native or adapted to Mediterranean conditions, these gardens become habitats for local wildlife, encouraging the preservation of native flora and fauna, which contributes to local biodiversity.
In this article, we will explore the main characteristics of a Mediterranean garden that promotes biodiversity and sustainability, and how Lands Design can help landscapers design these gardens professionally.
Selecting native plants
A crucial aspect of creating a sustainable, biodiversity-rich Mediterranean garden is the choice of native plants. These plants are perfectly adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of the region, which means they are more drought tolerant and require less water consumption and maintenance compared to exotic species. In addition, native plants attract local fauna, such as birds, butterflies and bees, helping to promote biodiversity.
Habitat and refuge areas
A sustainable Mediterranean garden should incorporate areas dedicated to wildlife. These areas can include native trees and shrubs, hedgerows, rocks, and areas with low vegetation. These elements provide nesting sites, shelter and food for birds, insects and other animals. Also, adding a water feature, such as a small fountain or pond, can attract even more wildlife to the landscaped space.
Efficient water use
Sustainability is a key aspect of Mediterranean garden design. Since Mediterranean regions often experience prolonged periods of drought, a sustainable Mediterranean garden should employ xeriscaping techniques. This involves the use of drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation, which provides water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation losses. In addition, it is important to implement water harvesting and recycling systems that maximize water use efficiency, maximizing water availability and avoiding water waste.
Use of sustainable and low-maintenance materials
To maintain sustainability in the garden design, it is advisable to use local and natural materials, such as stone, wood or gravel. These materials blend harmoniously into the environment and require minimal maintenance, which contributes to efficient and sustainable garden management.
How Lands Design can contribute to a sustainable and biodiversity-rich garden design
Lands Design is a professional landscape design tool that can be of great use to designers looking to create sustainable, biodiversity-rich Mediterranean gardens. Some advantages offered by Lands Design are.
Mediterranean plant library
Lands Design offers an extensive library of Mediterranean plants, including native species and those adapted to the Mediterranean climate. By using filters in the plant database, the selection of species adapted to the conditions of the project area is facilitated. Among the species suitable for Mediterranean gardens, and just to name a few, we can mention.
- Aromatic plants: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), sage (Salvia officinalis).
- Trees: both fruit trees such as olive (Olea europaea), almond (Prunus dulcis), orange (Citrus × sinensis), and ornamentals: holm oak (Quercus ilex), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens).
- Crassaceae: aloe (Aloe vera), aptenia (Aptenia cordifolia), agave (Agave attenuata), Sedum
- Climbing plants: bougainvillea (Bougainvillea), wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), duranta (Duranta repens).
- Flowering plants: lantana (Lantana montevidensis), tulbaghia (Tulbaghia violacea), verbena (Verbena bonariensis), petunia (Petunia hybrid), gaura (Gaura lindheimeri), agapanthus (Agapanthus africanus), etc.
- Palms: Cycas (Cycas revoluta), Mexican palm (Washingtonia robusta), palmetto (Chamaerops humilis).
In addition, the program provides detailed information on each plant, including its water and sunlight requirements and its importance for the local fauna. This allows wise decisions to be made to promote biodiversity in landscaped spaces.
Lands Design plant database
Specialized design tools
Lands Design provides specific tools for designing key elements of a sustainable Mediterranean garden. With these functionalities, you can model the terrain to create slopes, layout paths and curbs, design an efficient irrigation system, organize vegetation, and strategically place artificial elements such as stones, fountains, ponds and water troughs. In addition, the object library offers a wide range of elements that bring great value to the design of these gardens. These features allow for accurate planning and efficient design, optimizing the process of creating a Mediterranean garden.
Environmental impact analysis
Lands Design can help evaluate the environmental impact of a design prior to implementation. Landscape designers can simulate plant growth over time, analyze water consumption and evaluate the integration of the design with the existing environment.
3D Visualization
Lands Design offers the ability to visualize the design in 3D, which helps landscapers effectively present their proposal to clients. This feature allows for a better understanding of how the finished garden will look and how it will interact with the surrounding environment.
A Mediterranean garden design, realized with Lands Design byPaisajismo Digital
Conclusion
Creating a sustainable Mediterranean garden that promotes biodiversity is an achievable goal with the right tools. Lands Design offers professional landscapers a wide range of resources to design Mediterranean gardens that are environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing and functional. By incorporating native plants, conserving water, using sustainable materials and designing multifunctional spaces, we can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the well-being of our natural environment. With the help of Lands Design, the design process becomes more efficient and effective, allowing professionals to carry out landscape projects in a more sustainable manner.
Written by: Rosana Almuzara Bertolucci, Landscape Architect, Paisajismo Digital.
