words and images by Peter Wilcock
When designing a Mediterranean garden at our property here on Rhodes it was as important as perfecting the interiors. Beginning with a blank canvas way-back in January 2008 the garden has evolved through a series of distinct phases.
Our previous gardening efforts, back at home in England, were very succesful and spanned many years and locations. Our current home in Cheshire continues this tradition.
But eighteen years ago, from the outset of our work on Villa Lindos Kalliopi, it was clear that developing this type garden would be a unique challenge…
From inception our primary objective was to create a garden that conveys a distinctly Greek ambience, reflecting the summery, hedonistic atmosphere that Rhodes engenders. Greece boasts more flora and fauna that any other European country – so we had a big toy-box to play from! On the agenda were elements such as climbing jasmine, herb pots, olive trees, fruit trees, aged oleander bushes, and terracotta containers.
Although such a vision is appealing, bringing it to life needed significant expertise and dedication. Dedication ✓ but our expertise in such a climate was certainly lacking ✗ ! Adding to the challenge was converting an empty area cluttered with construction debris (from its recent building phase) into a Mediterranean garden. This needed careful planning, understanding, and physical hard work. When it came to planting – this was sometimes challenging, as errors were not only easy to make – but could be expensive.
A major lesson we learned was the necessity for adaptability. For example, our attempt to cultivate a lawn overlooking the bay was ultimately unsuccessful due to water demands, climate constraints, and lawn eating hornets! After investing a lot of time and effort over the years, we realised that as we already have a lawn back in the UK, why stress over maintaining another one here? Instead, we replaced the grass with a low-maintenance sundeck. Simple!
Over time, we discovered significant differences between simply maintaining a ‘garden in the Mediterranean’ and cultivating a true ‘Mediterranean garden.’ The latter requires durable designs that embrace, rather than resist, climatic realities. Recent improvements include removing all irrigation systems, relying instead on plants well-adapted to dry conditions and reducing water wastage. Many plant losses resulted from excessive over-watering, underscoring the importance of respecting environmental limits. We adhere to a practice of watering only when the plant’s needs indicate it is necessary; this method, known as xeriscaping, has proven highly successful. As a result, our garden has flourished, demonstrating the effectiveness and ethical conservation benefits of this approach.
Over a few short early years we had bought too many terracotta pots, which ended up causing maintenance issues and, in hindsight, made things look cluttered. It was just too much! We made a brutal, but cathartic, reduction three years ago – going from over ninety planted pots to fewer than thirty by March 2024. This streamlined approach introduced a much more elegant structure to our gardens. The remaining best pots, with space to breathe, showcase their unique craftsmanship, complemented by our now well established and resilient planting – all better suited for our local climate conditions.
The garden’s structure also considers functional spaces, providing seating areas, outdoor kitchen space and covered pergolas. Energy-efficient lighting is in place to enhance enjoyment during evenings.
Inspired by local traditions, we incorporated hoklaki pebble mosaics, enlisting an incredibly talented local expert to create striking areas. Although expanding on these features is tempting, restraint ensures the garden remains simple, focussed and beautiful.
Plant selection continues to evolve; albeit, it is pretty much now reduced to four key planting components – the smart use of durable olive trees, cacti, oleander and succulents taking centre stage.
As we now understand a Mediterranean garden, our pruning techniques have been adapted to encourage healthy growth. Low-maintenance species are now the only sensible consideration for any future planting
Wildlife-friendly gardening remains a central priority of ours, and recent years have seen increased biodiversity within the grounds. Native birds, non-invasive insects and harmless lizards are regularly observed, contributing to a balanced landscape that integrates nicely with the natural elements surrounding us.
With our gardens now mature, future enhancements will focus on subtle refinement and further sustainable practices.
Appreciation is extended to the Malonas family at Number 1 Garden Centre, particularly Giorgos (above), whose expertise and support have been invaluable over the years. As our planting needs decrease, it is sad we see less of them – but as soon as we can dream up a new planting project we will back there! They have massively contributed to this gardens success.
Additional advice or recommendations for further nurturing of Mediterranean gardens are welcome.
VLK Rhodes www.rhodesluxuryvilla.com
