[Southernland]

Hallo everybody and many thanks for connecting!

I'm running my grandfather orchard just for passion and planning to shape it little by little.

I'd like to have my four seasons contemporary mediterranean country garden, on budget and low maintenance.I planned four little flower beds (with shrubs) and two edge borders.

Is anybody here kindly interested to help me please?

Have a nice day.
G

[Umbrian]

Welcome to a new member in Italy. I presume from your 'Forum name' that you live in the south? It would be nice to know in which area...I, as you will realise, live in Umbria and I would imagine you experience hotter, drier summers and possibly milder winters than we do here? I am sure you will find this forum very interesting and useful and it will be nice to hear more about you plans.

[Southernland]

Dear Umbrian,
 good morning from Neaples.I'm glad to feel very welcomed here.
You're right, it's a bit warmer than Umbria in here.Then again, I'm thankful to relate to more experienced members from all over the world.What about me and my garden? I'd like to keep functional my orchard, and to build an easy running mediterranean flower garden.Still can't figure it out the final point, I appreciate water saver species, butterfly and bird actracting flowers and shrubs.
Hope to hear your ideas.

[Umbrian]

Nice to make contact with you. I never water my garden once things are established and also love subjects that attract butterflies, birds etc. I will try to put together a list of plants that perform well for me and hopefully give you some ideas, things that are readily available in Italy to start with....anyway I think you will find the  Forum useful because you can find information about many plants, gardener's successes and failures and good viviao's too!

[Umbrian]

Southernland, it would be interesting to know what kind of trees are in your grandfather's orchard.....I feel the planting you do should be complimentary  - that is, enhance them rather than detract from them.....
I met a man last year ( Italian, from Puglia) who became fascinated with the wild Narcissus growing in his local area including family land. These would look lovely in your orchard I am sure and if you are interested I can put you in touch with him.

[Southernland]

Dear Umbrian,
 here I am again.A bit late, sorry.
I was searching for a file listing the Washington d.C. Smithsonian's butterfly garden species, I failed.I'm quite sure it'll get out in the spot light.In the meanwhile I watered and removed rogue.

A list of the species in my orchad would include: lemon and orange, actinidia, apple and pear, peach and apricot, prune.

I'm also wondering how to set the beds: the orchad needs pruning and so it requires easy access but I'd like an informal, irregular and more modern shaped shrubbery.Having a look from the top would define 4 major but different in size meadows which I could identify as a big butterfly design.I could take the main regular shape but play a bit fun inside the wings.For now, one of the little wings contains the kitchen garden with rosemery, peppermint, laurel and pots of basil, parsely, chili pepper, celery and oregano.

The wild narcissus would definitely be a good idea, and yes I'd love to add more speakers to the conversation.

Any other idea or suggest is very welcome.

[Umbrian]

Nice to see a further post from you Southerland and your idea for a butterfly based design is great!
One plant that certainly attracts butterflies is Verbena bonariensis-  mine are just starting to flower, quite early this year because of the mild winter and warm spring. They are easy to grow and self seed well.
Of course most of us know that Buddleja are attractive to butterflies and I think they would fit very well into your orchard setting.
I have found the name of the Italian man who specialises in bulbs, especially Narcissus and if you would like to send me an e.mail through the forum I will pass on his details.
In bocca al lupo!