Re: Plants in Spain??
 

god can you imagine we'd all be flocking to you!! loads of loyal customers!! there you are, you're all set for your new life in Spain!!!

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Long one this time, some edible plants, some of you asked for some pointers, its simply a plant list, tips will follow.





You Edible Spanish Garden.


There is a massive range of plants that can be grown in Spain, from simple salad to exotics and any number of fruits.
Most can be grown in any space, so even if you have a small patio you can grow something, and not just the usual herbs.
Many can be grown in pots, and containers, and many will thrive much better being restricted.

If you have a larger plot then you are spoiled for choice, from exotic trees and shrubs to plots of veggies and salad beds.

You could even plant ground cover plants that provide food, something like the peanut or hottentot fig, and wild strawberries (in a damp area) or why not try planting nasturtium, delicious in salads.

Bellow is a list, it is fairly comprehensive, but by no means definitive.

There isn't a single thing on the list that cant be grown in a pot, I have an 8 ft "mobile" cherry hedge outside my back door that I grow black cherries on for my cherry vodka. As I have said all along be brave and mix things up a little.

Edible Plant Ideas.

Actinidia deliciosa Chinese Gooseberry
[I]Allium cepa[/I] onion
Allium porrum Leek
Allium satavum Garlic
Allium schoenoprasum Chives
Anacardium occidentale Cashew
Annona cherimola Cherimoya
Arachis hypogaea Peanut
Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree
Arctostaphylos bearberry, manzanita
Asparagus stipularis
Canna edulis
Capparis spinosa Caper
Capsicum
Carissa macrocarpa Natal plumb
Carpobrotus edulis Hottentot fig
Carum carvi caraway
Castanea satavia Spanish Chestnut
Ceratonia siliqua carob
Chamaemelum nobile Chamomile
Cichorium intibus chicory
Citrus limon
Citrus x paradisi Grapefruit
Citrus reticulata mandarin
Citrus cinensis sweet orange
Coriandrum sativum Coriander
Cratagaegus monogyna Hawthorn
Crithmum maritimum Samphire
Cydonia oblonga Quince
Cymbopogon citratus Lemon grass
Cynara scolymus Artichoke
Cyphomandra betacea Tree tomato
Diospyros kaki Persimmon
Eriobotrya japonica Loquot
Ficus carica Fig
Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry
Fortunella japonica kumquat
Ipomoea batatas Sweet Potato
Juniperus communis Juniper
Leptospernum scoparium Tea tree
Mangifera indica Mango
Mentha mint
Mespilus germanica Medlar
Morus nigra Mulberry
Muscari comosum Tassle Hyacinth
Myrtus communis Myrtle
Opuntia ficus-indica Prickly pear
Passiflora edulis Granadilla
Pelargonium
Persea americana Avocado Pear
Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
Pistacia vera Pistachio
Prunus armeniaca Apricot
Prunus avium Cherry
Prunus x domestica Plum
Prunus spinosa Sloe
Prunus webbii Almond
Psidium guajava Guava
Punica granatum pomegranate
Pyrus communis Pear
Rubus idaeus Raspberry
Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium
Valeriana Valerian (very good for insomnia)
Zea mays Sweet corn
Zingiber officinale Ginger

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

What are the odds on getting a Mango tree to fruit in Spain??? I noticed my local vivero selling them.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Pretty good, since many mango's sold here have a Spanish label on them.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Even small ones will fruit - we have one only a metre high and it currently has 9 mangos on it!

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

and PL did you look at the list?

Its on it.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Thats good to hear, I was put off buying one because I read that the tree is very large, but with Matts advice that you could grow many of these things in a pot I will try it.
Just hope I have more success with that then I am currently having with my Kiwi. I planted it about two months ago, it seemed to thrive but it has now lost all its leaves. Hopefully it will recover.

Yvonne

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

There are many varieties of Mango available in Spain. The one I have was recommended by the Viveros and is a "Keith".

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

With a name like that it should please rugbymatt then. ;-))

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

I have a feeling I am being ignored here.


What I may do is put a deliberate mistake in and see if anyone ignores me next time......bet they don't.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Perhaps pl has you on ignore, ;-((
I read it all, I didnt realize you could grow ginger here.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

I grow it on my window sill here so it will love Spain.



I am well aware a few have me on ignore.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

What did Matt say ?




Karma cleared so sent one, I don`t like spreading it about for no reason though, so you will have to wait for the owed one. lol

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

Part 4 (I think)



Some Landscaping Ideas from a horticultural perspective.


Right, so we have covered a few areas for the garden, now it is time to start looking at some bigger landscaping issues, many that can easily be used in any sized garden or situation.

The Swimming Pool.

While many people will tell you that plants need to be kept away from pool areas, the result being that most pools are barren and bleak places, there are plenty of heat loving, litter free plants that love this environment and with careful planning they can transform a simple pool into a little oasis.

Careful and clever planting can even reduce evaporation rates so there is much to be said about being a little clever with plants.

Chlorine can be a problem, raised beds are a viable option but some plants like datura (Brugmansia) palmito (Chamaerops humilis), Russian Olive ( Elaegnus) oleander Tamarisk and night jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) will tolerate some amount of chlorine.

By far the best plants for a pool area are heat loving and drought tolerant plants, they will thrive in the full sun and demand very little care, who wants to work hard that near a pool.
Palms are the order of the day, plant almost any type you wish, as are any sword leaved plants, most of them in the Agavaceae family, and aside from the danger of the spikes can be planted right up to the edge of a pool without any danger to the pool itself.
Spectacular plants can make an amazing backdrop to the pool, the massive Beschoneria, Doryanthes palmeri, Cordyline, Dracaena, Yucca gloriosa and Phormium tenax will all create a tropical paradise with their architectural forms.


Obviously if you wish to plant some trees or shrubs they will have to be planted away from the pool, and evergreens are an obvious choice since they wont create any problems with your filters. Why not plant Guavas, they will love the sun and the fruit will be a real talking point at a party, Callistemon's Echium's, and Strlitzia's with their fantastic blooms will not fail to impress,.

Succulents will absolutely love the reflected heat that the paved areas will offer, and long pots planted up with Agave and Aloes will frame the pool perfectly.

Try to plan for a small shaded are as well, plant fragrant plants such as Rosemary so that not only will the biting bugs be kept away but every now and then a drift of scent will welcome you to your next G&T.



Not everyone has the time or patience for hours and hours of endless gardening, but thats' not to say they don't want something to sit in and look at the world go by, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers or rustle of leaves.
There are some very simple ways we can give the impression not only the garden has been there for years but also that you are the hardest working gardener in the area.

Firstly we must consider what makes for a quick garden. To create the image of a mature garden you need mature plants and trees, and for a plant to grow to its full height in 4-5 years is a very fast grower, so it wont be as instant as you may wish.

It goes without saying that if you can provide a plant with its ideal growing conditions it will thrive. An example of this is the Bonsai, a 200 year old oak that grown no more than a foot high is not natural, but is done by controlling its environment, and that's just what you have to do to get the best out of your plants. Look at the perfect conditions a plant needs. If its a heat lover, it needs heat, so putting it on a North facing wall and irrigating it will result in disappointment.
If your plant needs shade and you don't have any make some, even a small amount of bamboo, or reeds will provide all the shade it needs. With nearly all Mediterranean plants more is nearly always not best. Don't over water, don't over feed, they will become over dependant on you and will be prone to disease and pests. The wild olive will tolerate any number or pests and drought, but the cultivated one needs special care.
Make sure your plants roots are well cared for, don't buy anything that is overcrowded in its pot, and make sure the plant has plenty of room to dig deep when you plant it, there is water under there and you will have to water much less if they can find their own water.
Crowd in the plants, create some ground cover, Agapanthus is excellent for this.






OK, I may have "borrowed" the phrase but its true, you have decided to go to Spain for an easier life, not to slave away at an endless labour of love. There are a few pointers for an easier life for the Garden in Spain.

Irrigation is your best friend. There are a few types of irrigation you can consider, but one to avoid, personally is the spray type. It does nothing for your plants at all. The water is sprayed to the leaves, well they don't want it, the roots need it, or your plants will run to seed as fast as they can.
The best type is the drip feed system, not only for your plants roots but also for the environment, it is an almost direct feed water system and can be placed on a timer, in northern areas 5 am in the summer is the best time for irrigation, in Spain some time around 3 will be better, that way nothing is lost to evaporation and all the water you lose, you use.

Mulching is vital for easy gardening. The times I have seen mulch about an inch thick and people complain that the weeds are still coming through is amazing. You will need thick mulch to suppress weeds, grass will grow through concrete, your inch of mulch will be happy days for the weeds.
If you can get hold of some form of landscape membrane then that is perfect, this will cut out light to the area and will allow you to mulch with whatever you want.
Gravel is one of the most attractive mulches in a Med garden, and if planted up with Agave or Aloe's can look spectacular, but be creative, crushed coloured glass can add a contemporary feel to a modern garden, as can slate chips.

Group similar plants together. Its obvious which plants need less water, so plant them in groups, that way you can water them at a different rate, but thirstier plants may need to be in tighter clumps, thus creating a micro climate and helping to conserve water.

Re: Plants in Spain??
 

You never cease to amaze me!!:thumbsup: