SOFTSCAPE
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on earth with some species reaching daily gains of even 90cm under perfect conditions. Its tall, slender stalks and lush, green foliage create a striking vertical element, ideal for privacy screens, garden pathways, and serene courtyards. Bamboo thrives in well-drained soil and prefers sunny to partially shaded locations, making it well-suited to Ibiza's Mediterranean climate. It requires regular watering, especially during dry periods, to maintain its vibrant appearance.
Bamboo can be used to enhance both indoor and outdoor spaces, providing natural beauty, privacy, and a sense of tranquility often associated with zen gardens. Its ability to create dappled light and shadow effects makes it a perfect choice for creating intimate, serene environments.
- Resilient to heat, humidity, and drought; struggles in extreme cold
- Fastest-growing plant, up to 1 meter per day
- Prefers full sun, tolerates partial shade.
- Needs regular watering, more drought-tolerant once established. - Low to moderate salt tolerance.
- Strong, extensive root system; spreads quickly via rhizomes.
- Symbol of strength and resilience in Asian cultures. - Tall, elegant stalks with lush foliage, ideal for gardens.
Bougainvillea
Whatever the design style chosen, there is always room for bougainvillea in the mediterranean garden. They can be used to climb pergolas or buildings walls, planted in pots, clipped to form hedges and topiary, or simply planted en masse. They come in many colours - from white, through yellows and oranges to pinks and violets...and if you cannot decide you can go for a multicolored option where you can have many colors on one plant!
Additionally these plants are very sturdy and resistant - if only provided sufficient light they will adorn the space with lush flowers for long periods of time during the year.
- Extremely tolerant of heat and drought.
- Fast-growing, can cover large areas quickly.
- Thrives in full sun; poor growth in shade.
- Drought-tolerant but flowers best with regular watering. - High salt tolerance, suitable for coastal areas.
- Deep-rooted, making it drought-resistant once established.
- Symbol of beauty and resilience in tropical and Mediterranean cultures. - Vibrant, colorful bracts perfect for adding bold color to walls, fences, and pergolas.
Herb Garden
Planting herbs is likely the best choice for anyone who wants to get an authentic Mediterranean feeling for their garden. Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Aloe Vera - all these plants are native to the region and inseparably linked with its culture and aesthetic.
In this post I want to attempt to capture little ''mediterranean moments'' when the lighting is just right, the mood is relaxed and dreamy, and your coffee of glass of red could not have been tasting better.
Where is softscape in all of that? - its the perfect background, setting the scene, relaxing the mind and calming the soul - making this happen is our ultimate goal as designers.
- Highly tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil.
- Moderate growth, though rosemary and thyme grow faster in optimal conditions.
- Thrive in full sun; struggle in shade.
- Low water needs; prefer dry, well-drained soil. -Moderate salt tolerance, suitable for coastal areas.
- Shallow, fibrous root systems, well-suited to rocky or sandy soils
- Used in Mediterranean cooking and traditional medicine. - Aromatic, evergreen plants with delicate flowers, ideal for borders, pots, and herb gardens.
Oleander
Another one of Ibiza classics, the Oleander is the perfect addition to any garden providing lush colorful flowers in a variety of hues. Whether its red, pink, white, peach, salmon or coral - its always a pleasure to see oleander in full bloom.
- Extremely tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil conditions.
- Fast-growing, can reach maturity quickly, making it ideal for hedges or screens.
- Thrives in full sun; tolerates some partial shade.
- Drought-tolerant once established, but prefers regular watering for better flowering. - High salt tolerance, suitable for coastal areas like Ibiza.
- Strong and deep-rooted, providing stability and drought resistance.
- Associated with Mediterranean landscapes, symbolizes beauty and resilience. - Offers vibrant, long-lasting blooms in colors like pink, white, and red, making it visually striking in gardens.
Buxus
Buxus, commonly known as boxwood (often abbreviated to just 'box') is the most popular choice for formed planting arrangement due to its small leaves. Excellent tolerance of pruning makes it a the perfect material for creating various shapes whether geometrical or organic. It can be used in classical compositions to create elaborate parterres or in modern context to complement minimalist architectural forms. It can also be planted 'au naturel' without intention of pruning where it grows in a fairly uniform but decidedly more 'fluffy' fashion. It pairs very well with grasses and herbs to create contrast of texture.
- Tolerates heat, moderate drought, and various soils.
- Slow-growing, easy to maintain.
- Thrives in full sun or partial shade.
- Requires regular watering, especially in dry conditions. - Low, not ideal for coastal areas.
- Shallow, fibrous roots, easy to transplant.
- Symbol of formality and order in European gardens. - Dense, green foliage perfect for hedges and topiaries.
Date Palm
With a texture upright form and a fountain of fronds they are the ultimate selection for framing the views. With canopies easily spreading 6m in diameter they also are the perfect shading solution for any space. It creates a dramatic focal point in gardens and is highly suited to the Mediterranean climate.
- Highly tolerant of heat and drought.
- Moderate to fast-growing in warm climates.
- Thrives in full sun.
- Requires minimal water once established. - High salt tolerance, suitable for coastal areas.
- Deep roots, providing strong anchorage.
- Symbol of prosperity and resilience in many cultures. - Tall, elegant with a striking tropical appearance.
Pennisetum
There is something very special about grasses - their dynamism where they ripple in the wind, the way the seem to light on fire during the late sunset, the softness and cloud-like character they add to the surrounding. Pennisetum is one the msot popular grasses in mediterranean area and for good reason. They do a tremendous job softening the lines of minimalist architecture and for that reason they are frequently planted en masse in modern gardens.
- Tolerates heat and drought well.
- Fast-growing, fills in spaces quickly.
- Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Low water needs, drought-tolerant once established - Moderate, tolerates some coastal conditions.
- Fibrous roots, shallow but strong.
- Often used in Mediterranean-style gardens for its airy texture. - Beautiful, soft plumes ideal for adding texture and movement.
