Jennifer Gay

 

GREECE’S climate is surprisingly complex, and it seems likely that it will only become more unpredictable in years to come.

 

While the country generally falls under the umbrella of a Mediterranean climate - long, hot, dry summers and mild, damp or wet winters - the reality is that Greece has a wide range of microclimates, the result of being at the crossroads of the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East.

That variety can have a significant impact on what gardeners are able to grow. A plant that does well in the north may easily wither in the south.

 

Invaluable insight is gained by following regional and local weather patterns, as well as taking note of what grows in the wild at any particular location.

 

Summer is relatively uncomplicated. The intense heat of the Middle East causes dry continental air to be pulled in from the north over the eastern Mediterranean, including Greece. So while there is local variation caused by topography, the summer is basically characterised by endless warm or hot sunny days, accompanied by a steady cooling northerly wind, known as the meltemi.

 

 

Winter is more complex. The Siberian anticyclone, a system of high atmospheric pressure over Siberia, extends to the northern Balkans, while the Azores anticyclone extends towards Greece from the southwest. Situated between the two, the Mediterranean acts as a low-pressure funnel.

 

Spring and autumn weather is not easily predictable. In southern areas, late March may bring volatile weather: violent gales and heavy rain one day, calm, sunny, warm days the next.

 

Greece’s mountains add a whole other dimension. The highest rainfall occurs over the westerly ranges (up to 200cm per annum in the Pindos). In the north and northwest precipitation is spread, more or less, throughout the year. In Crete, rain is concentrated into a short winter period and can be torrential.

 

Northern Greece picks up the effects of depressions moving across central Europe, causing sub-zero temperatures and increased precipitation, much of it falling as snow. Frosts are frequent.

Some species thrive almost everywhere in Greece, the olive tree being the prime example. Trees once widespread such as holm oak (Quercus ilex), Valonia oak (Quercus macrolepis) and turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus) have a similar flexible capacity and deserve to be widely planted.

 

The ubiquitous mastic/Skinos (Pistacia lentiscus) appears just about wherever you go in 

Greece, as do shrubs such as mock privet (Phillyrea angustifolia), Mediterranean buckthorn (Rham-

nus alaternus) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Herbs such as lavender, rosemary, oregano and thyme similarly thrive.

 

 

These plants withstand drought, heat, cold, wind and salty conditions. The herbs may not look their best at the height of summer, but if you trim them regularly, always deadhead, avoid overwatering and accept that their peak is in April-May, you will not be disappointed.

 

The area in which you live will invariably offer you unique opportunities. For example, in Corfu, where the rainy season is longer and humidity permanently high, around 400 or 500m above sea level, consider deciduous trees such as Christ’s thorn (Paliurus spina-christi), Mediterranean elm (Ulmus canescens), walnut (Juglans nigra), sweet chestnut and deciduous oaks such as Quercus pubescens. 

 

In the Cyclades, with the exception of Andros and nearby Evia, forget such trees as they will suffer dreadfully no matter how much you water them. The dry dusty winds of summer will simply be too much.

 

Instead, think of tough small-leafed trees like mimosa (Acacia dealbata) or Acacia saligna, Norfolk Island hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonii), chinaberry (Melia azederach) or pepper tree (Schinus molle). These withstand long hot summers and tolerate coastal winds. Choose silver, grey and small-leafed shrubs, anything that has methods of reducing water loss in summer. Succulents are a good choice in such a dry climate.

 

The Saronic Gulf features heat but with far more shelter. Here it is quite easy to get subtropical plants going - rubber tree (Ficus elastica), goes like a rocket to quickly become a big tree. Plants native to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay love the conditions - Senna corymbosa (Cassia), Jacaranda mimosifolia, Chorisia speciosa and Bougainvillea positively revel, while Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Tibouchina urvilleana are never happier.

 

 

The climate of Athens and its environs demonstrates how change can occur over very short distances. Popular flowering north European or North American East Coast species are found growing in the cooler, mountain-influenced northern suburbs, such as lilac (Syringa spp) and magnolia, while trees famous for their autumn colour - maples and liquidambars - are also in evidence.

 

The coast is a strong influence on southern suburbia, making subtropical options popular. Nonetheless, the presence of Mt Ymittos means snow is not unknown. The towns of the Mesoyeia plain are typical of inland, lowland areas (low rainfall and a long period of drought), though the proximity of Pendeli and Ymittos also presents risk of frost on occasion.