Transforming your patio or terrace into a vibrant showcase of nature’s beauty not only emphasizes the aesthetics of greenery and shrubs but also aligns with a eco-friendly lifestyle. The Mediterranean climate, known for its hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, creates a unique setting for gardening enthusiasts to nurture a vivid and lively garden using pots and containers. This approach is incredibly efficient for conserving space and provides enhanced control over the growing conditions, ensuring that even the smallest areas can be turned into thriving spots of color and life.
In our first of three blogs on container gardens for patios and terraces we gave an introduction to the garden type, while in Part 2 we listed 10 great flowering succulents and perennials suitable for growing in pots. Here in Part 3 are ten flowering shrubs that are exceptionally suited for pots and container gardening, ready to make your Mediterranean spot a flourishing outdoor living area.
Abelia x grandiflora
- Full sun or partial shade
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Known for its resilience and prolonged flowering period, Abelia x grandiflora is a semi-evergreen shrub that produces delicate white to soft pink flowers from early summer to autumn. Its arching branches add elegance to any container garden, and its adaptability to most soil types, combined with drought tolerance once established, makes it a low-maintenance choice for busy gardeners.
Hypericum balearicum
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
This compact version of St. John’s Wort, originating from the Balearic Islands, is perfectly suited for containers due to its small size. Hypericum balearicum blooms with bright yellow flowers in summer, contrasting beautifully against its blue-green foliage. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires minimal care, making it an excellent addition to your Mediterranean garden.
Jasminum grandiflorum
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Jasmine is synonymous with fragrant gardens, and Jasminum grandiflorum, or Spanish Jasmine, brings elegance and a sweet aroma to your container garden. Ideal for trellises or as a standalone feature in a large pot, it requires a sunny spot and regular watering to thrive. The star-shaped, white flowers blossom throughout the summer and into fall, providing continuous beauty and fragrance.
Lantana camara
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
With its clusters of vibrant, multi-colored flowers, Lantana camara is a show-stopper in any container garden. It grows well in full sun, offering a kaleidoscope of colors from spring through autumn. It’s drought-tolerant once established, but be sure to provide ample drainage in your pot to prevent root rot.
Myrtus communis
- Full sun or shade
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
The Common Myrtle is an evergreen shrub with deep green, aromatic leaves and produces white flowers in the summer followed by blue-black berries. It’s well-suited for containers due to its slow growth rate and can be pruned into formal shapes, making it ideal for Mediterranean-style gardens. Myrtus communis is happy in full sun or shade, and prefers well-drained soil.
Phlomis lanata
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Known as Woolly Jerusalem Sage, this compact shrub is noted for its silver-grey, woolly foliage and yellow flowers that bloom in spherical clusters. Phlomis lanata is drought-resistant, making it perfect for the Mediterranean climate, and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. It is well suited to growing in pots, and adds a unique texture and contrast to the container garden.
Pittosporum tobira (Mock Orange)
- Full sun or shade
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Pittosporum tobira is an evergreen shrub that offers year-round interest with its glossy green leaves and sweet-smelling, white flowers in spring. It’s highly adaptable, tolerating both sun and shade, and can withstand coastal conditions. Perfect for creating a dense, low hedge in a container, it brings structure and fragrance to your garden.
Plumbago capensis
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Also known as Cape Leadwort, this shrub is cherished for its sky-blue flowers that bloom profusely from summer to autumn. Plumbago capensis is ideal for creating a cascading effect in containers or for climbing structures. It requires full sun to light shade and well-drained soil, and while it’s drought-tolerant, it benefits from regular watering during the flowering period.
Salvia microphylla
- Full sun
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
Salvia microphylla (Small-leaved Sage) offers vibrant flowers in shades of blue, red, pink, purple, or white from early summer to frost, attracting pollinators to your terrace or patio. It’s a hardy plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little water once established. Its compact size makes it perfect for containers, where it can be paired with other Mediterranean plants in pots for a stunning display.
Viburnum tinus
- Full sun or shade
- Neutral, acidic or alkaline soil, calcareous (limestone) soils
- Shrub
With its dense, evergreen foliage, Viburnum tinus provides a beautiful backdrop year-round. In late winter to spring, it blooms with pink-tinged white flowers, followed by dark blue-blackberries. Thriving in both full sun and shade, this versatile shrub is ideal for containers where its beauty can be admired up close.
Cultivating Your Mediterranean Haven
Container gardening with these ten flowering shrubs offers a flexible and manageable way to create a sustainable Mediterranean haven on your patio or terrace. Not only do they provide year-round interest and color, but they also support local wildlife and contribute to the biodiversity of your garden. With the right care, these plants will flourish, turning your outdoor space into a thriving Eden that you can enjoy for years to come.
To discover more about container gardening, read our other blogs on container gardening and our 10 picks for flowering succulents and perennials perfect for growing in pots, or take a look at the RHS site here. You can also contact us directly at Sage Green Gardening to discuss your container gardening needs.