FIVE MEDITERRANEAN MARVELS

1 HIBISCUS SYRIACUS ‘ BLUE BIRD’

Making its debut in 1958, this hibiscus produces a succession of violet-blue flowers with darker eyes.

2 JASMINE OFFICINALE

A lovely deciduous climber for a sunny spot, common jasmine is smothered with perfumed white flowers all summer long.

3 LAURUS NOBILIS

Common bay is an evergreen, drought-tolerant shrub that’s ideal clipped into standards, pyramids and other topiary shapes.

4 NERIUM OLEANDER

This evergreen shrub boasts pink, white or red blooms that appear above lance-shaped leaves, from early summer until mid-autumn.

5 OLEA EUROPAEA

Grown for its craggy trunk and silver foliage, common olive thrives in a warm, sunny spot, and is very drought-resistant.