Mediterranean Garden in Albuquerque: Part 3

In this third installment of Mediterranean Garden in Albuquerque, I investigate plants from the Mediterranean that can grow in Albuquerque. This is not an exhaustive reference, but simply those that have come to the forefront of my mind. As I think of more plants that I feel are essential I'll probably slap my forehead.

Plants that are native to the Mediterranean region are, of course, those that figure most prominently in the landscape. Because there is a diverse climatic range there, there are a number of these plants that can be grown in Albuquerque, many of what I would consider the most significant in contributing to the Mediterranean landscape. There are also many plants that are borderline in Albuquerque, some merely surviving. Even though there seems to be a good number of plants, there are many that are like fallen soldiers in the frozen field of Albuquerque's winter. If you feel that I've missed one, and you have experience growing it in Albuquerque, please feel free to contribute.

Italian cypress
Italian Cypresses at Villa d’Este at Tivoli, Italy
If asked to choose one plant that signifies a Mediterranean landscape, many people would choose the Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), which may have actually come from Persia. It is well known, in the form ‘Strictus’ usually planted here, for its tall (to 60 feet in a more favorable climate), narrow spire of dark green. In the cooler foothills of Albuquerque it may suffer from winter damage, but recovers.
(Cupressaceae)


Lavender
Many would also choose lavender if asked for a single plant that signifies the Mediterranean. It is commonly pictured in images of Provence, which has fields of lavender, often picturesquely seen with Italian cypress. There are a number of species and hybrids, with innumerable cultivars. Some of the lavenders are too tender for Albuquerque, most notably the French lavender (Lavandula dentata) which is common in California. Fortunately, the lavender most noted for the perfume fields of Provence, the sterile Lavandin hybrids (L. x intermedia - L. angustifolia x L. latifolia) is easily grown here, with varieties such as ‘Provence’ and ‘Grosso’ (seen in photo). Lavandins are known for their long flowering stems. Blooming earlier are the English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) which is actually native to southern Europe. With a slightly sweeter scent than the Lavandins, these varieties tend to have shorter flower stems. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is borderline in hardiness here, though the form ‘Otto Quast’ did fine in my foothills garden until crushed by construction workers. The Spanish lavenders have a more camphorous odor, typically have a short fat spike of flowers topped with two to four flag-like bracts resembling rabbit ears.
(Lamiaceae)

Rosemary
Well known in cooking, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) comes from seaside cliffs. For years, people planted only the silvery, weak branched ‘Arp’ here, which is considered the hardiest form. Whether from climate change or realization that rosemary is hardier than previously thought, many other varieties have been planted recently. The prostrate forms are less hardy, though frequently surviving in the warmer parts of the city or closer to buildings, they are never seen in the foothills. ‘Tuscan Blue’ with dark violet blue flowers, suffers from winter tip burn, but survives. I wonder if it is the true form, since it is described as strictly upright, but those planted here grow broadly. For sculptural form, ‘Blue Spires’ (seen here) and ‘Gorizia’ perform admirably in my garden.
(Lamiaceae)

Thyme
Thyme is also one of the characteristic plants of the mediterranean region, most notably Provence. The various thymes have no difficulty with the Albuquerque weather, and there are many forms and scents, from the ground-covering wooly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) to the shrubby common thyme (T. vulgaris). Lemon thyme (T. x citriodorus) has a distinct lemon fragrance.
(Lamiaceae)

Sage
When speaking of sage for the mediterranean garden, what is usually referred to is the culinary sage (Salvia officinalis), but new world sages are grown in mediterranean climates everywhere. Culinary sage has a number of cultivars other than the lavender blue common form, to flowerless forms grown for leaf color or size. ‘Berggarten’ is slow to establish but has larger leaves, ‘Purpurascens’ (seen here) has new leaves in purple, but can get too much sun here. Similarly ‘Icterina’ which has a golden border. Another sage which recalls the mediterranean climate includes S. leucantha which hails from Mexico but is not hardy here. S. ‘Indigo Spires’ is a good substitute with similar size and long spikes, and has dark blue spires instead of reddish purple.
(Lamiaceae)

Cistus
Apparently Cistus is so ubiquitous in the Mediterranean that the locals have difficulty appreciating it. In California (seen here in San Francisco), they are loved for the beauty, ruggedness, drought resistance, and resinous aroma. The genus is borderline hardy, with some species and hybrids much hardier than others. They all perform admirably at the Albuquerque Botanic Garden, though in my foothills garden, many could not survive the winter. Best performers in my yard include C. ladanifer (large white flowers with red spots), C. x aguilarii (white), C. x cobariensis (small 1-1/2” white flowers), and C. ‘Anne Baker. Others had unsightly post-winter foliage or died outright. Although flowers look like single roses, they are in a family of their own.
(Cistaceae)

Euphorbia
Although Euphorbia myrsinites, the ground-hugging serpentine Euphorbia, is grown frequently here, a couple other species and cultivars of this mediterranean native do well also. One of the most evocative of the mediterranean is Euphorbia characias, which has been avoided due to hardiness concerns. Despite weeks in the teens, and 18 inches of snow, mine have been fine. Attractive evergreen leaves, and early spring glowing chartreuse bracts that last for months are its benefits. ‘Redwing’ (E. charachias x E. amygdaloides) turns red in the winter and has compact heads of bracts (seen here). Its sport ‘Blackbird’ stays glowing red all year.
(Euphorbiaceae)

Fig
Although the fig (Ficus carica) doesn’t grow as big as it does in a true mediterranean climate, the fig does get big enough to fruit in Albuquerque. It is best in a protected spot.
(Moraceae)

Italian Stone Pine
The Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea) is evocative of Southern France and Italy. Tasty seeds are similar in flavor to the native pinyon pine, but Italian stone pine grows to 80 feet and has a broad umbrella shape. There are some large beautiful specimens in Albuquerque (one beautiful specimen in Albuquerque shown here - easy google search for more images).
(Pinaceae)

Boxwood
What would a French garden be without a hedge or border of boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)? The common boxwood is native to southern Europe, but there is some question as to whether it can survive here, due to hot summers and alkaline soil. Korean boxwood (Buxus microphylla koreana) and Japanese boxwood (B. microphylla japonica) are more commonly planted here.
(Buxaceae)

Lonicera
Honeysuckle is common enough here, but only L. japonica (Hall’s honeysuckle), which is not native. Lonicera etrusca (Etruscan honeysuckle) and L. implexa (Tuscan honeysuckle) may be worth trying here.
(Caprifoliaceae)

Oleander
While the oleander (Nerium oleander) is native to the Mediterranean and is typically associated with the landscapes there, oleander is borderline here and suffers from winter cold. If it survives, it looks presentable by midsummer, but the burnt leaves are unsightly for a long time.
(Apocynaceae)

Oaks
The cork oak (Quercus suber) is naturally associated with the wine growing areas of the Mediterranean. Some sizable specimens are seen in Albuquerque, though this is not a commonly planted oak. Other evergreen oaks may be substituted such as the escarpment live oak (Q. fusiformis).
(Fagaceae)

The following are either so common that we forget they are mediterraneans, or they are so new to our consciousness that they don’t evoke the mediterranean. They still deserve mentioning.

Santolina
I’ve always thought that Lavender cotton was a strange common name for Santolina chamaecyparissus, which has yellow flowers, grey toothed (crenate) leaves that have a pleasant herbal smell (thought not of lavender), and no “cotton.” Although I’ve been critical of those who cut plants back, allowing leggy plants to fall open and expose bare branches, I’ve grown to consider this part of its charm.
(Asteraceae)

Fennel
In California, I looked down upon the weedy wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), with its pungent licorice scented (and flavored) leaves and seeds. But it is a plant characteristic of Tuscany. After all, the form with thickened leaf stalk bases is called Florence fennel (finocchio). Bronze fennel is just as prolific in self-seeding, but seems to be more acceptable to designers.
Apiaceae)

Dittany of Crete
All the oregano’s are evocative of the Mediterranean. Origanum dictamnus is especially suitable for an ornamental garden, with wooly round leaves and hop-like green bracts tinted pink. It has been used medicinally for stomach ailments. It is thought to be too tender for Albuquerque, but mine have grown without damage for the last five year. Similar in flower form, but with green leaves is Origanum rotundifolium ‘Kent Beauty’ which can get too much sun here.
(Lamiaceace)

Ballota
Ballota pseudodictamnus looks similar to Dittany of Crete, but only superficially. Ballota has a charm of its own. Bracts look like a string of lime green satellite dishes and nearly inconspicuous flowers look like sage. Leaves are round (orbicular) with wavy edges.
(Lamiaceae)

Mint
So common is the invasive mint (Mentha sp.), and its use in a variety of cuisines (from Vietnamese Pho to Mojitos), that it is hard to remember that this is a Mediterranean native. Best grown in pots to limit its rampant underground stems (rhizomes).
Mentha (Lamiaceae)

Broom
Genista hispanica (Spanish broom) is common in Albuquerque for its durability and fragrant profuse yellow flowers, but its weedy appearance, self-sown seedlings, messy ways do not recommend it. Try the shorter (to 2 feet instead of 10 feet) and rarely self-sowing Genista lydia instead. (Fabaceae)

Grapes
Vitis vinifera is the mediterranean species responsible for most cultivars, especially wine grapes (seen here in the Chianti region of Italy). Grapes need no introduction.
(Vitaceae)

Dianthus
The pinks originate in Europe, with the carnation (D. caryophyllus) being from the mediterranean. Seen here is the variety ‘Queen of Sheba.’
(Caryophyllaceae)

Cercis
Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree) is the species native to Europe and western Asia, though the redbud most commonly planted here is C. canadensis. Texas redbud (C. c. texensis) is more adapted to this climate however, and is probably more appropriate.
(Fabaceae)

Jerusalem sage
Though well known by gardeners in California, Phlomis species are virtually unknown to non-gardeners. This is a tough, attractive genus with broad felted (tomentose) leaves and yellow flower in verticillasters that deserves more recognition.
(Lamiaceae)

Sunrose
Helianthemum is closely related to Cistus and more widely grown. Plants grow 6-8 inches high and 3 feet wide, though usually smaller in Albuquerque. One inch flowers in red, orange, yellow, pink and white last only a day like Cistus, but plants are somewhat hardier. Helianthemum do not have the fragrant foliage of Cistus.
(Cistaceae)

Next: Mediterranean Garden in Albuquerque Part 4 - Non-native "Mediterraneans".