gravel gardens in Italy

Italy is a country which, like so many others, is now feeling the pinch of climate change and has been forced to re-consider the way in which it uses it's water supplies. The explosion in tourism has led to a dramatic increase in the number of large gardens, swimming pools and extensive English lawn areas all over this beautiful Peninsula. This alone has increased water consumption so drastically that water supplies are becoming scarce for both human and agricultural consumption. We at ecologica gardens sustain that by eliminating large expanses of fine lawn around the house we can reduce our water consumption and maintenance by around 80% or more.

WHAT IS A GRAVEL GARDEN?
A gravel garden is about as close to a truly Mediterranean garden as we can get, A Mediterranean gravel garden relies on gravel to form the medium on which we walk, instead of costly fine grass lawn, with it's costly irrigation systems. When installed correctly a gravel garden will perform a number of very useful, time/money saving tasks in the garden. A gravel garden will reduce water consumption by ensuring that the soil beneath it remains moist, providing water for plant roots and creating a healthy soil environment for soil organisms. It will reduce the need to weed regularly as a gravel substrate eliminates almost all weed growth. And, a gravel clearly does not require mowing! During the winter plants roots will be insulated from the cold by the layer of gravel and trapped, still air.

A garden of this nature addresses precisely the needs of the majority of Mediterranean and aromatic plants /herbs etc. yet echoes the aesthetics of a Sicilian beach. This dry garden also provides a pleasing environment adjacent to the house. This low maintenance Mediterranean garden can be used for sunbathing, even immediately after a rainstorm, without the risk of trudging dirt and grass into the house!

Given that most plants benefit from their roots being covered by the gravel the choice of planting style is endless and the choice of plants, nothing short of exceptional! Planting style can range from the elegance of topiary (plants clipped into shapes) and colourful rose borders to lazy, pacifying herbaceous borders. These can then be filled with a mix of perennials, climbing vegetables and even architectural cacti. These fantastic plants can then be illuminated at night... creating the perfect ambience for eating alfresco. The choice of plants is extended from rare lavenders and other aromatics to Irises and other perennials.

Plants such as Irises are especially adapted to growing in gravel gardens as they need warm and free-draining soils to thrive in and they suggest a somewhat Mediterranean feel. However an equally harmonious 18th century England feel can be achieved by using English perennials, such as foxgloves or delphiniums. Be sure to ask professional advice, as a gravel garden that is installed incorrectly can create many problems.

CONTACT ECOLOGICA FOR THE CREATION OF A MEDITERRANEAN GRAVEL GARDEN

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