As of: January 19, 2024, 7:18 p.m
By: Ines Alms
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Be careful when buying plants: Whether a Mediterranean plant can be grown in the bed in summer and winter depends on several factors such as the region and the variety.
Mediterranean plants are used to sun and warmth, which Germany can only provide in a few summer months.
Southerners cope well with spring and autumn in this country, but things quickly get dicey in winter.
If you want to grow the plants in a bed and not in a bucket, you should pay attention to their frost tolerance.
In addition to the type of plant, it is also important where exactly you live in Germany.
Hardiness zones help to assess the climatic region
A hardy pomegranate (Punica granatum) also thrives in mild regions of Germany.
© zhoujianwen/Imago
Rhineland-Palatinate is known for its climatically favorable location for wines.
Not only is it the federal state with the largest wine-growing area, exotic species such as apricots, figs and kiwi also thrive in some places.
Cold-sensitive plants also feel comfortable in other favored regions of Germany, which often have a mild climate thanks, among other things, to the warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic.
The proximity of rivers is also an advantage: the water reflects the sun's rays and thus increases the effect of light.
Haze and fog protect plants from frost.
To find out which Mediterranean plants thrive where, you should first determine which hardiness zone (WHZ) or USDA hardiness zone you live in.
You can find graphics on the Internet that provide good assistance.
The following winter hardiness zones are considered important zones for Germany (DACH region):
Hardiness zone |
region |
|---|---|
Zones 5 to 6 |
Alpine region |
Zones 6 to 7 |
flat land |
Zone 7b |
Berlin, Dresden, Halle |
Zone 8a |
Rhineland, coasts of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Kiel |
Zone 8b |
Helgoland and North Sea islands |
You can find even more exciting garden topics in the regular newsletter from our partner 24garten.de.
Which Mediterranean plants for which region?
To give a rough overview: The following hardy plants can withstand temperatures down to around minus 17 degrees Celsius (sometimes more) and are suitable for both mild and colder regions:
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Mediterranean viburnum (Viburnum tinus)
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Cistus (Cistus)
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Three-leaf orange (Poncirus trifoliata)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Wine (Vitis vinifera)
In milder regions with temperatures below zero of 7 to 12 degrees Celsius, they overwinter in the bed
Real cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Real fig (Ficus carica)
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)
Laurel (Laurus nobilis)
Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)
Location and variety are crucial for winter hardiness
The hardiness zone is only an approximate guideline.
Of course, for a Mediterranean garden you also have to consider the respective variety and the local location: real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), for example, is very hardy, while lavender is sensitive to frost.
The more sheltered and sunny the location, the better the chances of survival in cold winters.
A very wet location is again unfavorable.
Ultimately, a healthy plant without pest infestation is more resistant to freezing temperatures.
If in doubt, all Mediterranean plants should also be provided with a layer of mulch and winter protection made of fleece, jute or straw.
Particularly heat-loving plants such as olive trees, oleanders, loquats and citrus fruits do not tolerate any frost and must overwinter as potted plants in a protected place in the house.