As our thoughts turn to fall and how best to prepare our yards for the cooler months ahead, a Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic may have felt like the last thing on our agenda. However, Christina Aguilera has reminded us that some aesthetics are truly evergreen, and this includes her beautiful Tuscan-style courtyard.
The singer's Mediterranean garden, located in Beverly Hills, is a celebration of southern European sophistication – from its soft neutral-painted façade to the Zellige tiled-covered water feature, climbing ivy, Juliet's balcony, and, most strikingly, hibiscus.
This vibrant flora offers the perfect Tuscan-style aesthetic, but its recorded history dates back to ancient Egypt. It has since evolved to be highly regarded in different cultures and countries across the world, including Italy, where it is widespread for mainly ornamental purposes. In Italy and beyond, hibiscus is known for its vibrancy, meaning it is often synonymous with summer. However, as Aguilera reminds us, this flower can survive long into the cooler months.
It's worth noting that it is better to plant hibiscus in the spring (so the plants can enjoy an entire growing season in warmer conditions). However, planting in the fall can be successful (especially in hotter states), so we can still tap into Aguilera's space without waiting until the new year.
Plus, getting the look doesn't involve hibiscus exclusively. Craig Wilson, the co-founder, director, and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream, explains that the Mediterranean aesthetic is one of 2024's most prominent garden trends, not least because it's refreshingly simple to experiment with the look at any point of the calendar.
'There is nothing quite like your very own at-home retreat. Since the beginning of December 2023, ‘rustic garden ideas’ have seen a 163% increase in searches on Pinterest. Marrying this with our internal sales data, we expect to see many homeowners looking to the Mediterranean for garden inspiration,' he says. Alongside hibiscus, he suggests we can achieve the pefect space with the next inevitable choice: citrus trees.
'Internal sales data shows a 400% increase in Lemon tree sales, alongside a 120% increase for Orange trees, both of which work beautifully to create a rustic Mediterranean feel. Various grape plants have also seen an increase of 200%,' he explains.
'Pairing any of these citrus trees or grape vines with terracotta hues and concrete textures will help make your garden feel like a European getaway, and it doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Use terracotta pots and planters set at varying levels and old broken concrete slabs to create charming walkways.'
We can also get the look with our favorite Mediterranean-style picks below. We particularly love the terracotta planter, designed as the perfect container for a lemon tree.
This beautiful terracotta planter adds a rustic feel to outdoor spaces. Available in four sizes, each pot has drainage holes for healthy plant growth.
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Midnight Marvel' has striking and intense red flowers. The dark, almost black foliage, is unusual and highlights the red flowers.
This 3-piece outdoor bistro set elevates your entertainment space on a balcony or patio with an antique look. It's crafted from durable cast aluminum.
