The rustic gardens have an appearance that contrasts with that of the so-called '' English gardens ''. In fact, while the latter are presented with lawns always cut grass, with hedges with geometric shapes, with symmetrical flower beds and plants with an ordered appearance; the former are much more natural, with hedges or vases arranged freely, and have the purpose of recreating a country setting. These are '' country '' gardens, with a simple structure, not at all artificial, which aim to respect a balance between natural and often native species, even at the expense of the plant housing order. Often areas are also created for the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, or small vegetable gardens.
In the preparation of rustic gardens you can choose:
- trees
- shrubby plants
- evergreen plants
- climbing plants
- herbaceous plants
- flowering plants
- aquatic plants (if a body of water is available)
Finally, it is important to examine some preliminary aspects, namely:
- extension of the garden
- exposure
- weather conditions
- type of solar radiation
- types of land
- coexistence between plants.
LAVENDER
It is a herbaceous, bushy, evergreen and aromatic plant, typical of the Mediterranean Macchia, which, being well adaptable to any type of climate and soil and having a rather rapid growth, is used in the preparation of rustic gardens where it forms bushes thick and fragrant. It has tall and straight herbaceous stems, up to 1 meter or so tall. The leaves are very thin, elongated, of an intense green color with silver reflections.
The flowers are small and come together in spike inflorescences, purplish in color, very fragrant, which bloom long. It lives well on any type of soil, provided that it is well drained, even if it prefers those with a calcareous component. It is also suitable for salty soils, which is why it is often cultivated on the sea coasts. Being a rustic variety, it lives well with any type of climate: it tolerates both heat and cold, but prefers mild temperatures and sunny environments. Watering is recommended mainly during the warm months, on a weekly basis, while rainwater is sufficient in the cold months.
MIMOSA
It is a shrubby plant, evergreen, ornamental, with early flowering flowers (from January to March) which is used to form colorful and very decorative bushes in gardens. Even after the end of flowering, the plant remains alive and keeps the leaves. It has a woody stem, with a height between 10 and 15 meters. The leaves are bipinnate and formed by many small leaves of intense green color. The flowers are flower-shaped inflorescences, golden yellow, with a soft and feathery appearance, characterized by an intense, very pleasant, fragrance. They have a short life, as they are very delicate, even if the plant blooms several times in a season.
The fruits are black legumes, with a length from 5 to 10 cm. It requires a deep, fertile, well-drained soil with an acid component. It must be housed in sunny areas of the garden as it loves heat and light and fears the cold; its ideal temperature should never be below 15 degrees. It is advisable to water it at least once a month, in the warm months, without ever drenching the soil. The adult specimens are satisfied with irrigations due to rainwater. Fertilization is recommended at the seasonal changes (spring and autumn) using specific fertilizers for flowering plants.
ROSEMARY
It is a shrubby, evergreen and aromatic plant, part of the Mediterranean scrub, which forms bushes thick and fragrant, particularly suitable for filling various areas of the garden. It has woody stems, with a tormented pattern, very branched, light brown in color and up to 3 meters high. The leaves are coriaceous, lanceolate and elongated, with a continuous margin with a non-pungent apex, dark green, covered with a glossy patina produced by the oil glands. They are sessile, with opposite insertion, and covered with a thin layer of white hair.
The hermaphrodite flowers are inconspicuous, have a bell-shaped calyx and a bilobiate tubuliform corolla with 2 stamens fitted with a small apical tooth. They have a light blue color and bloom from March to October. The fruits are long and smooth achenes (tetrachenes), brown in color. It requires a soft, well-drained soil, enriched with river sand and peat. It must be housed in sunny areas, although it is preferable to place it away from any cold currents that could damage it. Requires frequent watering: at least once or twice a week. Fertilization is recommended with mature manure.
MYRTLE
Yes trat of a shrubby, evergreen, aromatic plant, part of the Mediterranean scrub, which forms bushes thick and fragrant and which is well suited to create ornamental areas in the garden. It has an erect stem, with a reddish yellow bark, up to 3-4 meters high. The leaves are oval, glabrous, with a continuous edge and a dark green color. The flowers appear solitary, with a corolla endowed with 5 petals, of white or pink color and characterized by an intense fragrance. The fruits are blue oval berries. It requires a soft, well-drained soil, enriched with peat and sand, with a neutral or basic pH, never acid. It prefers warm climates, with temperatures that should never fall below 5 degrees. It does not require watering as rainwater is sufficient. Fertilization is recommended with fertilizers rich in nitrogen and potassium.