Plant These 9 Seeds to Bring the Mediterranean to Your Garden
Dreaming of traveling to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean? You don't need a plane ticket to experience Côte d'Azur's beauty. Plant these nine seeds to bring the Mediterranean to you.
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The Mediterranean, known for stunning views and wonderful weather, is the ideal holiday destination for many Americans. Unfortunately, it’s not possible for most of us to hop over to Côte d’Azur on a whim when we feel like it.
Luckily, gardeners have the ability to bring the feel of the Mediterranean to them. A careful selection of plants mimics the peaceful countryside and deep blue waters of the French Riviera to bring that beauty straight to your backyard. And since Mediterranean gardens are seeing a revival at the moment, you can be sure your garden will be on trend, too.
This list covers everything you need to design a Mediterranean-inspired garden that will look right at home along the French Riviera. The variety of sizes, textures, and colors ensures there is something suitable for every part of your garden.
Côte d’Azur Seed Bundle
The Côte d’Azur Seed Bundle from Botanical Interests has a curated mix of dreamy Mediterranean hues, layered heights, and soft textures.
Tiny Tim Sweet Alyssum
Starting with the blue oceans of Côte d’Azur, use the adorable ‘Tiny Tim’ sweet alyssum to mimic the gentle foam of waves lapping at the shore. This low-growing plant forms a carpet of tiny white flowers that are so dense it’s hard to see the foliage when the plant is in full bloom. The sweet fragrance is an added bonus.
The compact size makes it ideal for filling in gaps, especially in rock gardens where the cascading blooms help soften hard edges. It’s also great for container planting, allowing gardeners with limited space to create a mini Mediterranean landscape on their patio or balcony.
Victoria Blue Forget-Me-Not
Moving from sea to sky, the ‘Victoria Blue’ forget-me-not is one plant you shouldn’t forget in your Mediterranean garden. These petite sky-blue flowers have a dainty look, but the plants themselves are quite tough. They pop up early in spring, signaling the change of seasons beautifully.
These plants are perennials, but they’re generally short-lived. Plant them in clusters for a more impactful sky-like display. Plant ‘Victoria Blue’ to create a soft, airy feel in the garden that’s bound to make you feel like you’re relaxing on holiday, even when you haven’t left home.
Cape Marigold
Now, we add a touch of that warm Mediterranean sunshine with the Cape marigold. Despite the common name, these are not true marigolds (they’re also known as African daisies or Namaqualand daisies), but they bring the same bright colors and warm energy wherever they are planted.
Cape marigolds are excellent for mass plantings, recreating the same impactful look as the famous fields of color they produce in their native habitats. Or, you can mix them between other plants or grow them in containers wherever you need a pop of warm color. These plants don’t mind poor soil and are drought-tolerant, great for covering those tougher spots in your garden.
Bunny Tails Grass
Adding movement and texture to your garden is essential to bring that true Mediterranean feel, and Lagurus ovatus does just that. This ornamental grass sports soft plumes that sway gently in the breeze. The tall seed heads look just like adorable bunny tails nestled between the blades of grass, hence the common name.
This ornamental grass doesn’t just have the cuteness factor—it’s also versatile in the garden. It works well in borders, rock gardens, or containers, and its neutral tones complement a wide range of color schemes. The plumes can also be dried and used in floral arrangements. Plant en masse for a meadow effect.
Miss Jekyll Blend Love-In-A-Mist
‘Miss Jekyll Blend’ love-in-a-mist is another sky-like plant with French Riviera hues. The mix of baby blue, blue-purple, and white not only look like a subtly cloudy Mediterranean sky, but they also create the feel of one, surrounded by lacy bracts that give them an ethereal appearance. The seed pods that follow the blooms are equally as fascinating and can be used in dried floral arrangements.
This plant is incredibly easy to grow from seed and blooms quickly, ideal for impatient gardeners. It self-seeds, too, providing a blue surprise as new plants emerge each season. Scatter the seeds throughout your beds for a natural, cottage-garden look.
Broadleaf Sage
No Mediterranean garden is complete without Mediterranean herbs, of which there are many to choose from. Broadleaf sage is arguably one of the best for its versatility in the garden and the kitchen. The silvery-green leaves bring the classic Mediterranean feel that works well with other staples like rosemary and lavender.
Fresh leaves can enhance a variety of dishes, from savory meats to herbal teas, infusing your meals with authentic Mediterranean flavors. Beyond its practical uses, it also produces delicate purple blooms that attract pollinators. This is one of the few herbs where flowering doesn’t affect flavor, so both you and the pollinators can enjoy this plant all year.
Xanthos Cosmos
Bringing a soft glow to your garden, ‘Xanthos‘ develops pale-yellow blooms that capture the gentle light of early morning on Mediterranean beaches. They also make lovely cut flowers, allowing you to bring the sunshine indoors to brighten up any room.
Cosmos is ideal for filling in spaces between taller plants or planting en masse in areas with poor soil, as they don’t mind sand or drought. This variety is easy to grow and blooms profusely throughout the summer and into fall.
Shades of Blue Larkspur
For height and drama, ‘Shades of Blue‘ delivers. Evident in the name, this is another flower that transports you to the beaches of the French Riviera, whether you’re looking to replicate sky or sea. The colors range from soft blue to deeper almost purple blues, flowering on tall stems that stand out no matter where they are planted.
Larkspur’s elegant blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant them towards the back of borders to create a layered effect, allowing shorter plants to shine in front while the larkspur towers above. With minimal care, these flowers will recreate the coastal cliffs and stunning waters right in your garden beds.
Indian Peace Pipe Nicotiana
Completing your Mediterranean-inspired garden, we have the impressive and unique ‘Indian Peace Pipe’ nicotiana (flowering tobacco). Like larkspurs, the tall stature makes it a perfect backdrop plant, reaching heights of up to six feet. The flowers release their lush scent from late afternoon into the evening, adding a sensory element to your garden as the sun sets.
Plant ‘Indian Peace Pipe’ near patios or seating areas where you can fully appreciate their fragrance and beauty. You’ll also want to see these drooping tubular blooms up close. This plant is a magnet for pollinators like moths and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden.
