7 Conifers for a Mediterranean Garden

Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific': a beautiful ultra-resistant carpet

The Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’, also known as Beach Juniper, is a conifer to use as groundcover. At a height of 30cm, it spreads slowly over an area of just over 1m. Its flexible branches are covered with small light green scales in spring, turning to blue-green in winter. Feel free to plant it in a dry rockery, at the front of a border, or to carpet a bank. It will also thrive happily in a seaside garden due to its adaptation to salt spray and sandy, saline soils. Ensure it has well-drained soil, even if poor, and full sun exposure.

Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’

Juniperus sabina 'Tamariscifolia': a dense groundcover with a beautiful bluish hue

To cover beautiful horizontal areas: nothing beats Juniperus sabina ‘Tamariscifolia’! Also known as Tamarisk-leaved Savin Juniper, this conifer spreads slowly to cover an area of about 2m with its evergreen foliage. At maturity, it will not exceed 80cm in height; thus, it can easily and effortlessly green neglected areas lacking greenery. Slopes or the edges of flower beds, dry gardens on gravel, the edge of a terrace: these are all uses for this beautiful, extremely hardy and resilient horizontal specimen. It thrives in dry, poor, and well-drained soils and tolerates limestone very well.

Juniperus sabina ‘Tamariscifolia’

Juniperus communis 'Arnold': a column of greenery

This Common Juniper – Juniperus communis ‘Arnold’ – thrives in full sun and prefers poor, well-drained, calcareous soil. Insensitive to the scorching summer temperatures or the biting cold of winter, it marks an entrance with its vertical silhouette, enhances slightly flat planted areas, or accompanies pathways. Its growth is rather slow, maintaining a fastigiate habit to reach a height of 2.5m, making it easy to find a spot in your borders, even in a small space, or even in a large pot! Moreover, its evergreen foliage boasts a lovely bluish-grey hue, allowing it to harmonise with a plethora of Mediterranean plants.

Juniperus communis ‘Arnold’

Pinus nigra 'Pierrick Brégeon': a small green ball

The Pinus nigra‘Pierrick Brégeon’ is a low-growing variety of Black Pine, suitable for small dry and Mediterranean gardens. With a slow growth rate, it will reach an adult height of 1.5m and has a beautifully spherical habit on a short trunk. Its large, soft needles form a dense canopy of light green. It has the advantage of being both hardy, well-resistant to summer heat and water stress, and it thrives in all types of soil! Pair it in a Mediterranean rockery, a structured border by the pool, or in a beautiful pot on a sunny terrace.

Pinus nigra ‘Pierrick Brégeon’

Pinus pinea: the great Mediterranean umbrella

The silhouette of the Umbrella Pine – Pinus pinea – marks the landscapes of the Mediterranean. This majestic, evergreen conifer spreads with age, gradually taking on its grand parasol shape, providing welcome shade. It produces pine nuts, seeds prized in cooking and loved by gardeners… as well as squirrels! Perfect for a large seaside garden due to its resistance to salt spray and drought, it grows quickly to reach 20m in height and 10m in spread. It enjoys full sun, adapts to dry, poor soils, and withstands winter temperatures down to -10°C.

Pinus pinea

Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta': a classic

The Italian Cypress, also known as Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta‘, is emblematic of Mediterranean gardens. When seen, it evokes the landscapes of Tuscany, classic gardens where it enhances the beds bordered by boxwood, alongside Oleanders, olive trees, and lavenders. Yet, it is not limited to this style, as planted in the garden of a sleek, contemporary villa, it also works wonders! Always green, easy to grow, and remarkably undemanding, it grows quickly once established and will reach heights of between 10 and 15 m. Quite hardy, it thrives in all types of soil, tolerates summer heatwaves, and requires no watering.

→ Read also: How to integrate cypresses into a contemporary garden?

Cupressus sempervirens ‘Stricta’

Cedrus libani 'Atlantica Glauca': for large spaces

The Blue Atlas Cedar is majestic and imposing. This subspecies of the Lebanon Cedar features very decorative clusters of blue-silver needles and a gigantic pyramidal habit, making it an exceptional specimen. Cedrus libani ‘Atlantica Glauca’ has a somewhat slow growth rate but reaches a height of around twenty metres at maturity and occupies a space of about 10m. If you have the suitable space, it will thrive as a specimen or when planted in groups. Native to the Atlas Mountains, it is well-suited to well-drained and poor soils, and is also perfectly hardy. Plant it in full sun, especially where it can spread and express its full vigour!

Cedrus libani ‘Atlantica Glauca’