There floors easier or more difficult to maintain. “If you live in an area where the climate is very hot in summer and very cold in winter, you should look for plants that can adapt to those conditions,” he says. Nuria AbellanHe is responsible for the nursery collections of Jardí Botànic de Barcelona.
The trick is simple, adds the expert: “Find where the plant came from and pay attention to it as if it were there: if it’s a place that gets a lot of sun and little rain, it’s usually shade or partial shade if there is… One has to find it and apply common sense. ‘, says Abellán.
And gives various examples Chile’s native cactus, It is a succulent plant that “lives in the morning fog, practically without water”, so it is logical that this plant should be watered in small doses and not very often.
Under this assumption, it would be reasonable to assume that there is no climate change due to the climate diversity that exists in Spain. plant type It may exist at one end of the country, at the other end – also in Galicia and Catalonia, for example – but it is not. “Any aromatic plant is easy to care for and doesn’t require much effort,” notes Abellán, considering it would be needed in the Atlantic. less water and more light than in the Mediterranean.
However, since they do not require much care and are resistant to heat and cold, there are also more showy plants that everyone can have on their balcony or garden, even if they are not very skilled at this, such as these:
Clove
Its general scientific name is Dianthus caryophyllus, it is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Southern Europe that can reach one meter in height. A grateful flower and low maintenance, there are many varieties of carnation. The flowers now start to sprout in the spring and last until almost autumn, they have a pungent smell and the most common colors are red, pink, white, yellow… It needs frequent exposure to the sun and water. It is resistant to heat (up to 40°C) and freezing down to -5°C without any problems.
Begonia
It is a plant of tropical origin that comes from places like Central and South America, Asia and Africa, but has managed to adapt to a climate that is the opposite of its origin. Most – there are over 1,500 different species – need warm temperatures, light shade (very few tolerate direct sunlight), and soil that is not constantly wet, but not allowed to dry out completely either. Most species grow and bloom year-round. It needs warm or mild temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees, but can withstand a minimum of 7 and 10° and a maximum of 38°, depending on the species.
Lavender
It is an aromatic and semi-shrub plant that can reach up to one meter in length, native to the Mediterranean region. Beautiful purple inflorescences sprout in spring and summer. And direct sun and little water are enough to survive. Withstands frosts down to -5°C and high temperatures up to 38-39°C without difficulty.
rose bush
It is the most popular flowering shrub in the world. Native to Asia, Europe, North America, and northwest Africa, this species is 2 to 20 meters tall, depending on the species. It produces generally aromatic flowers for most of the year. And it is a very productive and grateful plant: with almost no maintenance and simply taking it outside and watering it three to four times a week in summer and every four or five days for the rest of the year, from 38°C to -12°C.
Petunia
Native to South America, these plants are perennial plants that need lots of light and 4 to 5 hours of direct sun per day; however, they can also grow in partial shade and produce fewer flowers. It ranges in height from 30 to 50 cm and grows in clumps, so it is often used in the garden to create borders and flower beds. Its flowers are plentiful continuously from early spring to late autumn. They can be any color except orange, and there are bicolor varieties. It is also grown in pots and pots. They like warm temperatures between 16 and 25 degrees, but can withstand up to 4°C in winter and 36° in summer.
nasturtium
It is a deciduous, ornamental plant that does not exceed 50 cm in height, native to South America. There are many varieties with red, orange or yellow flowers and they have many properties: antioxidants, diuretics, antiseptics, antibiotics… The seeds germinate in about 14 or 20 days and bloom 7-10 weeks after planting. It has a temperate climate but tolerates frosts as long as it is not severe and prolonged. The maximum temperatures it accepts are 36°, and the minimum temperatures are between 5° and -1°.
calendula
It is a herbaceous, aromatic and perennial herb. Although its origin is not known for certain, it is known to belong to the Mediterranean region as it was widely used by the ancient Greeks. Its name derives from the Latin calendar (calendar) because it blooms throughout the year. It was also known for its therapeutic properties as a medicinal plant by Hindus and Arabs. The vibrant orange and yellow flowers, which can reach up to 50 cm in length, close at night and open at dawn, have excellent resistance to high and low temperatures (39° and -5° unless they are persistent). .
Sardinia
Considered the ‘king of the balconies’, this plant groups 422 species bearing flowers in almost every color: red, pink, white, purple… Its habitat is all temperate regions of the world, including the mountainous regions of the tropics. It is mostly found in the eastern Mediterranean region. The flower can be up to 45 cm tall and can withstand temperatures as low as -3°C, but snow and hail can damage its leaves. It withstands maximum temperatures up to 40° and tolerates constant direct sunlight.
bougainvillea
Native to South America, it is a climbing and thorny plant that is highly admired for its magnificent blooms (fuchsia, pink, white…) and low maintenance. It can reach 6-8 meters in height and can tolerate temperatures down to 38°C, but is frost sensitive: it can withstand temperatures of 5°C but is damaged at -3°C or below.
clematis
It contains about 300 species of herbaceous plants and is native to Europe and Asia. It can reach 3 meters in height and needs direct sunlight or dappled shade under leafy trees. Its flowers are varied in shape—bell, star, or lantern—and color—white, purple, navy blue or pale blue, purple…—and have a jasmine-like aroma, though less delicate. It withstands climatic changes and cold very well, withstanding extreme temperatures down to -15° and 22°C.