Buying a house with a garden is always an attractive choice, especially in a region rich in natural beauty like Maremma, Tuscany. However, for those who don’t live in the house full-time, a large garden can easily become a source of responsibility and work.
This is why choosing a house with a smaller garden can be a smart solution, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of having a green space without the complications of excessive maintenance. Additionally, using native plants from Maremma can make the garden not only more beautiful but also easier to care for.
WHY A SMALL GARDEN COULD BE THE IDEAL CHOICE?
- Easier Maintenance:
A smaller garden requires less time and effort to care for. A compact green space can be easily maintained, even when you’re away from the house for extended periods. There’s no need to worry about hiring an expensive gardener or returning home to find an overgrown, neglected garden.
- Reduced Costs:
Managing a garden, especially when it’s a second home, comes with expenses. A large garden may require more water, tools, and professional assistance, whereas a smaller garden is more economical to maintain, especially when low-impact solutions like automated irrigation systems are used.
- Easier to care for during absences:
If you only live in the house for certain times of the year, a small garden will be easier to manage when you’re away. Simple solutions like automated irrigation and selecting plants that don’t need frequent attention can make it easier to maintain.
- A more intimate and welcoming space:
Even a small garden can be an oasis of relaxation. Picture a shaded corner, a table for outdoor dining, or a reading area surrounded by plants. A well-designed small green space can offer all the comfort and tranquility you need, without the burden of managing a large area.
THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS FROM MAREMMA
One of the best ways to have a beautiful and low-maintenance garden is to choose native plants that are perfectly adapted to the local climate and soil.
Maremma, with its Mediterranean climate, offers a variety of hardy, resilient, and attractive plants. Using these in your garden not only reduces the need for care but also adds an authentic character, tied to the region.
Here are some native plants from Maremma that might be perfect for your garden:
- Lavender:
Lavender doesn’t need much water, is drought-resistant, and offers fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Perfect for flower beds, borders, or pots, it brings color and a relaxing scent to your garden.
- Rosemary:
A classic of the Mediterranean scrub, rosemary is ideal as both an ornamental plant and for culinary use. It’s a robust plant that adapts well to hot and dry climates, and can be used for low hedges or small flower beds.
- Olive Tree:
The olive tree is a symbol of Tuscany and fits perfectly into Maremma gardens. It’s an elegant tree, easy to maintain, and very resilient. It also carries aesthetic and cultural value, adding a Mediterranean and historical touch to the garden.
- Rockrose:
A typical plant of the Mediterranean scrub, rockrose is very drought-resistant and produces lovely white or pink flowers. It’s perfect for filling spaces and creating a natural effect with minimal care.
- Broom:
With its bright yellow flowers, broom is a hardy plant that thrives in the dry and sunny conditions of Maremma. It’s ideal for adding color and creating natural borders.
- Strawberry Tree:
This evergreen plant has glossy leaves and colorful berries. It’s very resilient and, aside from its aesthetic appeal, the strawberry tree provides some fruit and fits perfectly in small gardens.
- Bay Laurel:
An aromatic plant that thrives in warm climates and requires little water. Bay laurel is perfect for creating small green corners and also offers leaves useful in cooking.
ADVANTAGES OF A GARDEN WITH NATIVE PLANTS
– Low Maintenance: Native plants are adapted to the local climate and require less water and care compared to exotic species.
– Environmental Preservation: Using native plants helps maintain the local ecosystem, supporting local biodiversity and wildlife.
– Traditional Aesthetic: These plants give the garden an authentic and traditional appearance, perfectly in tune with the surrounding Maremma landscape.
CONCLUSION
If you’re looking to buy a house in Maremma, Tuscany, and dream of having a garden, it’s important to consider how much time and effort you’re willing to devote to its care, especially if you’re not living there year-round.
Opting for a small, well-designed garden, perhaps enriched with native Maremma plants, could be a winning solution. Not only will you have a green space that reflects the soul of the region, but you’ll also be able to enjoy it without the burden of excessive upkeep.
A small, well-kept garden with native plants becomes a refuge of beauty and relaxation, perfectly in tune with the tranquil and authentic lifestyle that Maremma offers.
