Mediterranean Magic: Plants That Define Turkish Gardens
The distinctive character of Turkish gardens comes largely from their plant palette – a collection of species that have adapted to the Mediterranean climate's hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. These plants aren't just aesthetically beautiful; they're resilient survivors that have evolved strategies to thrive in challenging conditions.
Whether you live in a Mediterranean climate zone or simply want to capture the essence of Turkish gardens in your own landscape, understanding these plant selections will help you create a garden that's both beautiful and sustainable. In this guide, we'll explore the signature plants of Turkish gardens and how to incorporate them into your own outdoor space, regardless of your local climate.
Understanding the Mediterranean Climate
Before diving into specific plant recommendations, it's helpful to understand the climate conditions that shape Turkish gardens. The Mediterranean climate is characterized by:
- Summer Drought: Long, hot, dry summers with little to no rainfall
- Winter Rainfall: Mild winters with moderate precipitation
- High Light Intensity: Strong, direct sunlight throughout much of the year
- Coastal Influence: Sea breezes and moderate humidity in coastal areas
Plants native to this region have developed specific adaptations to survive these conditions, including:
- Silver or gray foliage that reflects sunlight
- Small, leathery leaves that reduce water loss
- Deep root systems to access groundwater
- Aromatic oils that deter pests and reduce water loss
- Ability to go dormant during extreme drought
These adaptations make Mediterranean plants not only beautiful but also remarkably resilient and drought-tolerant once established.
Trees and Large Shrubs: The Garden Framework
In Turkish garden tradition, trees and large shrubs provide the essential framework, offering shade, structure, and vertical elements. Here are some of the most significant:
1. Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
Perhaps no tree is more emblematic of Mediterranean landscapes than the olive. With its gnarled trunk, silvery-green leaves, and centuries-long lifespan, the olive tree represents both beauty and sustenance.
- Appearance: Twisted trunk, silvery-green leaves, small white flowers followed by edible fruit
- Cultural Significance: Symbol of peace, fertility, and prosperity
- Growing Tips: Requires excellent drainage, full sun, and protection from prolonged freezing temperatures
- Alternative for Colder Climates: Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) offers similar silvery foliage
A centuries-old olive tree provides both beauty and harvest
2. Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
The tall, columnar Italian cypress is a signature vertical element in Turkish gardens, often used to line pathways or frame views.
- Appearance: Tall, narrow evergreen with dense, dark green foliage
- Cultural Significance: Associated with eternity and the afterlife; provides structure and windbreak
- Growing Tips: Drought-tolerant once established; needs full sun and good drainage
- Alternative for Colder Climates: Columnar junipers can provide a similar vertical accent
3. Fig Tree (Ficus carica)
The broad, spreading fig tree provides welcome shade in summer and delicious fruit in late summer and fall.
- Appearance: Broad canopy, large lobed leaves, and distinctive fruit
- Cultural Significance: Symbol of abundance; mentioned in ancient texts including the Quran
- Growing Tips: Tolerates poor soil but needs protection from harsh winter winds; prune to maintain size
- Cold Hardiness: Many varieties can withstand brief periods below freezing, especially with protection
4. Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
This multi-stemmed shrub or small tree brings seasonal interest with bright orange-red flowers and distinctive fruit.
- Appearance: Glossy green leaves, vibrant flowers, and round fruit with jewel-like seeds
- Cultural Significance: Symbol of fertility and abundance; featured in Turkish art and literature
- Growing Tips: Tolerates drought once established; benefits from occasional deep watering
- Ornamental Value: Even in climates where fruit may not ripen, the flowers and form are highly ornamental
5. Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
This aromatic evergreen can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree.
- Appearance: Glossy, dark green leaves and inconspicuous flowers
- Cultural Significance: Leaves used in cooking; associated with honor and achievement
- Growing Tips: Can be container-grown and moved indoors in cold climates; tolerates pruning and shaping
- Versatility: Works well as a formal hedge, specimen plant, or container accent
Flowering Perennials and Shrubs: The Garden's Seasonal Drama
Turkish gardens balance practicality with beauty, incorporating flowering plants that provide color, fragrance, and often culinary or medicinal uses.
1. Lavender (Lavandula species)
Various lavender species thrive in Mediterranean conditions, offering aromatic foliage and purple flower spikes that attract pollinators.
- Recommended Varieties: Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) for cooler climates; L. stoechas (Spanish lavender) for warmer regions
- Growing Tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; avoid overwatering; prune after flowering
- Uses: Aromatherapy, culinary, medicinal, and dried arrangements
2. Roses (Rosa species)
Roses have a special place in Turkish culture, particularly old garden and damask roses with their intense fragrance.
- Recommended Varieties: Rosa damascena (Damask rose), Rosa 'Ispahan', Rosa gallica 'Officinalis'
- Growing Tips: Choose disease-resistant varieties; provide morning sun and good air circulation
- Cultural Significance: Used in Turkish rose water and perfumes; symbol of love and beauty
Fragrant Damask roses have been cultivated in Turkey for centuries
3. Rock Roses (Cistus species)
These drought-tolerant shrubs produce a profusion of papery flowers in spring and early summer.
- Appearance: Low-growing shrubs with white, pink, or purple flowers with distinctive yellow centers
- Growing Tips: Plant in poor to moderate soil with excellent drainage; avoid fertilizing
- Ornamental Value: Silvery foliage provides year-round interest even when not in bloom
4. Sage (Salvia species)
Both ornamental and culinary sages thrive in Mediterranean conditions, attracting beneficial insects with their nectar-rich flowers.
- Recommended Varieties: Salvia officinalis (common sage), Salvia fruticosa (Greek sage), Salvia sclarea (clary sage)
- Growing Tips: Plant in full sun; prune to maintain shape; replace plants every few years
- Uses: Culinary, medicinal, and ornamental; excellent pollinator plants
5. Tulips (Tulipa species)
Though now associated with the Netherlands, tulips originated in Turkey and Central Asia and were highly prized in Ottoman gardens.
- Recommended Varieties: Species tulips like Tulipa clusiana and T. sylvestris are more perennial than hybrid types
- Growing Tips: Plant bulbs in fall; provide good drainage; allow foliage to die back naturally
- Cultural Significance: The "Tulip Era" of Ottoman history was named for the flower's cultural importance
Aromatic Herbs: The Sensory Garden Experience
Herbs play a crucial role in Turkish gardens, providing fragrance, flavor for cooking, and traditional remedies.
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
This woody evergreen herb can form a substantial shrub in favorable conditions.
- Growing Tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; avoid overwatering
- Versatility: Can be used as a low hedge, trained as topiary, or allowed to cascade over walls
- Cold Hardiness: Varies by cultivar; 'Arp' and 'Hill Hardy' are more cold-tolerant
2. Thyme (Thymus species)
Various thyme species create aromatic groundcovers that release their scent when walked upon.
- Recommended Varieties: Thymus vulgaris (common thyme), T. serpyllum (creeping thyme)
- Growing Tips: Plant between pavers or in rock gardens; trim after flowering
- Uses: Culinary, ground cover, and aromatic accent
3. Oregano and Marjoram (Origanum species)
These related herbs offer both culinary value and ornamental flowers that attract butterflies.
- Recommended Varieties: Origanum vulgare (oregano), O. majorana (sweet marjoram), O. 'Kent Beauty' (ornamental oregano)
- Growing Tips: Provide excellent drainage; trim back in spring to encourage bushy growth
- Versatility: Both culinary varieties and purely ornamental types are valuable in the garden
Adapting Mediterranean Plants to Your Climate
Even if you don't live in a Mediterranean climate, you can successfully grow many of these plants by understanding their needs and making adjustments:
For Colder Climates:
- Focus on cold-hardy Mediterranean plants like lavender, certain sages, and thymes
- Plant tender species in containers that can be moved to protected areas in winter
- Create microclimates by planting near south-facing walls that reflect heat
- Improve drainage by adding sand or gravel to planting beds
- Apply mulch in winter for root protection, but remove it in spring to allow soil to warm
For Humid Climates:
- Focus on disease-resistant varieties
- Space plants for good air circulation
- Plant in raised beds or mounds to improve drainage
- Consider using gravel mulch rather than organic mulch to reduce humidity around plants
Creating a Mediterranean Plant Community
The most successful gardens work with plants that share similar needs. When designing your Mediterranean-inspired garden:
- Group plants with similar water requirements together
- Layer your plantings with taller trees and shrubs providing shelter for more delicate species
- Include a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants for year-round interest
- Incorporate plants with different bloom times to extend the season of interest
- Use gravel or decomposed granite between plants to reflect heat and improve drainage
Conclusion: The Timeless Appeal of Mediterranean Plants
The plants that define Turkish and Mediterranean gardens have endured for centuries because they combine beauty with resilience. As water conservation becomes increasingly important in garden design, these climate-adapted plants offer solutions that are both sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.
By incorporating these time-tested plants into your garden, you're not just creating a beautiful space—you're connecting with centuries of horticultural tradition while preparing your garden for the challenges of a changing climate. Whether you're recreating an authentic Turkish garden or simply adding Mediterranean touches to your existing landscape, these plants will bring texture, fragrance, and a sense of place to your outdoor space.
In our next blog post, we'll explore the essential role of water features in Turkish garden design and how they can be adapted to gardens of any size.
