How to design a garden in Marrakech

Marrakech offers bright skies and mild winters, but also scorching summers and precious water. The city's traditional gardens have shown the way for centuries: shade, water channels and suitable plants.

Begin with shade

Identify the hours and areas where you'd really want to sit. Plant or build the shade first: a well-placed tree, a pergola or a high wall changes how the temperature feels.

Choose the right plants

• Olives and citrus, for structure and shade
• Palms and cacti, suited to the heat
• Lavender, rosemary and grasses, for texture
• Bougainvillea and jasmine, for colour and scent

Group plants according to their water needs. It's the most useful principle of a water-wise garden.

Install suitable irrigation

Drip irrigation brings water to the plants' roots and limits evaporation. Water early in the morning or late in the evening, and mulch the soil to hold moisture.

Rethink the lawn

A large lawn needs a lot of water in this climate. Keep it to a small area if it matters to you, or replace it with grasses, ground cover or gravel paths.

Plan for nighttime

Much of garden life happens in the evening. Low, soft lighting near paths and under a few trees creates atmosphere without glare.

Think about upkeep from the start

A beautiful garden needs follow-up. Before planting, ask who will look after it, especially for a second home.