Alisdair and all, perhaps this discussion could lead to accumulating advice from members through discussion to produce a list of plants that by agreement are excellent drought resistant plants for the mediterranean climate and are also ornamental. Or a total list of plants grown with a points system for all the features that are important. E.g. drought tolerance, ornamental value, flowering season, disease resistance, degree of maintenance (e.g. pruning to keep a good shape or flowering), availability. This could be discussed thoroughly before it is instigated and could be expanded if other aspects come up of importance.
A plant such as Salvia patens may get a big fat 0 but it would be useful if people could just check on a comprehensive list before making decisions.
I am aware that such information already exists in books including the one by Olivier Filippi but here is an opportunity for gardeners all over the mediterranean gardening world to produce a definitive list which could be regularly updated and improved. The updated version could also be available on the web site.
As with the discussion groups set up for the improvement of the society I feel if this were undertaken by the forum in the same way the best results would be achieved.
Every ones thoughts about this?