Re: Transplanted California

Monique:
 
I'm not sure I speak for everyone on this forum regarding this big issue but here are my thoughts...
 
1.  Aside from the love of the "Mediterranean" culture, the Mediterranean garden and plant fans that I speak with adhere to one premise: right plant, right place.  The primary reason we grow what we grow is because it is appropriate to our climate.  I feel, and I think others feel this way, that wherever a gardener lives, it would be best to grow plants that adapt to the climate (and the soil and the other growing factors).
 
Which is not to say, however, that one cannot create a "Mediterranean-STYLE" garden anywhere.  Besides the specific plants, a "Mediterranean-style" garden involves a particular use of space for living, stylized hardscape and hardscape materials, and use of various ornamentation.  I've seen "Mediterranean-style" gardens in South Carolina (one I designed), Texas and even New York.
 
Southern New Mexico has its own wonderful palette of plants, both native and introduced.  It isn't a tiny palette nor a difficult palette.  Those who have tried and failed there have probably failed because they used the wrong plant material.  There are several good botanical gardens in New Mexico and highland Arizona that would inspire you.
 
2.  Pick up a copy of "Plants for Dry Climates" (Duffield and Jones).  It's 180 pages of plants for the desert, including southern New Mexico ("High desert").  A few of the plants in that book are found here in our California gardens.  A FEW.  But the rest would do well to create the "feel" of a Mediterranean garden.
Joe
Bordeaux <bordeaux@swnm.com> wrote:
Greetings,
 
I joined this list few days ago in order to get a feel for what sort of plants will grow in Medit. environment. Perhaps I will join MGS.  Will shal see.
 
There must be some transplanted Californian in Arizona and New Mexico ( my state)..in fact, everytime we meet someone new in Luna county ( extreme southern part of NM) they are from California...but very few are gardeners  and the few who were, gave up.
 
If it does not take too much of  your gardening time, could you please let me know what was your experience in gardening in the Chihuahuan desert with the same plants available in Mediteranean gardens.
 
You may e mail me directly as not to burden the other list readers who may not be interested. 
Thank you in advance
 
Happy gardening to all.
 
Monique
...The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel....
Horace Walpole


Joe Seals
Santa Maria, California --
where the weather is always perfect
and my NEW garden will soon be blooming and full of birds and butterflies

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index