Want to create a Moroccan style garden? This article offers inspiring ideas to turn your outdoor area into a stunning Moroccan retreat, ideal for relaxation and enjoyment.
No matter the size or location of your garden, you can bring it to life with the warm, earthy tones, bright colours, and captivating features of Moroccan design.
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10+ Key Features for Creating a Moroccan-Style Garden
1. Warm Colour Palette
In Moroccan style gardens, the captivating colour palette is a standout feature. Cosy, warm earthy tones such as terracotta, ochre, and burnt orange set a welcoming atmosphere. Meanwhile, lively hues of blue, green, and fuchsia add vibrancy and energy.
Introduce these colours in your garden with painted walls, fences, and decorative touches. This creates a visually striking and cheerful space, sure to bring joy and admiration
Check out this cool Moroccan Style Flatweave Rug – it’s super tough, easy to clean, and perfect for both indoors and outdoors. Plus, it’s UV resistant and totally weatherproof
2. Vibrant Accent Colours
In a Moroccan-style garden, vibrant accent colours are essential. These lively shades are a hallmark of Moroccan design, infusing the space with energy and an exotic flair. Cobalt blue is particularly significant, offering a striking contrast to the warmer earth tones typical of this style.
You can introduce these vivid colours in various ways. Consider using brilliant blues in mosaic tiles and fountains, or the rich hues of flowering plants and textiles. These splashes of colour don’t just create visual interest; they capture the essence of Moroccan gardens, renowned for their luxurious and sensory-rich environments.
By thoughtfully incorporating these vibrant accents, your garden can transform into a captivating oasis. It will echo the beauty and vibrancy of Morocco, turning your outdoor space into a mesmerizing retreat.
Ronseal have some lovely paint colours including Moroccan Red. It’s not just for wood – you can jazz up metal, terracotta, brick, and stone too!
3. Evergreen Shrubs
In a Moroccan style garden, lush greenery is key for structure and appeal. Evergreen shrubs like boxwood, laurel, or bay add depth and contrast, forming a stunning backdrop to the garden’s vibrant colours and exotic elements. Careful selection and placement of these foundational plants create a harmonious, visually pleasing space for you and your loved ones.
Top Tip – In the UK, when designing your Moroccan-style garden, make sure each plant gets its ideal growing conditions. Consider sunlight, soil type, and drainage to ensure your garden thrives.
4. Mediterranean Plant Selection
To truly embody Moroccan garden style, think about adding Mediterranean plants such as palm trees, olive trees, and citrus trees. These not only bring an exotic charm but also craft a transportive atmosphere. Picture yourself under an olive tree, enveloped by the scent of citrus blossoms, in your personal Moroccan paradise at home!
Later in this article, we’ll delve into more plant recommendations for crafting a Moroccan-style garden in the UK.
This Moroccan Terracina Effect Planter looks just like ceramic but way more practical. Perfect size too, at 58cm diameter and 56cm height!
5. Patterned Tiles
Moroccan style gardens are known for their intricate, patterned tiles, adding charm and character. Incorporate these beautiful tiles in meandering pathways, patios, or as accents on walls and steps. Their lively patterns are eye-catching and conversation-starting, making your garden a unique and memorable space.
6. Water Features
The gentle sound of water from a mosaic tile fountain or birdbath can turn your Moroccan garden into a peaceful retreat. Adorned with beautiful patterns, these water features create a calming atmosphere, inviting you to relax and enjoy the beauty around you.
Check out this Solar Fountain Pump – no batteries, just sunshine needed. It’s a budget-friendly way to bring the soothing sound of water to your Moroccan-style garden
7. Wrought Iron Décor
Incorporating wrought iron accents like tables, gates, trellises, or lanterns brings sophistication and artistic flair to your Moroccan style garden. These ornate elements are visually striking and blend seamlessly with the overall design, elevating the exotic charm of your outdoor space.
The Woodside Postwick Mosaic Garden Table and Folding Chair Set is a blend of elegance and practicality. With its hand-crafted details and choice of blue or terracotta designs, it’s doesn’t just look great but is also durable and foldable for easy storage
8. Intricate Detail
Moroccan-style gardens are adorned with intricately carved wooden furniture and accessories, inviting relaxation and enhancing the garden’s aesthetic. These exquisite pieces add texture and authenticity, making your outdoor space a true reflection of Moroccan artistry.
9. Cosy Low Seating
Moroccan gardens create cosy, intimate seating areas ideal for relaxation and conversation. Incorporate low benches or floor cushions, complemented by lanterns and potted plants, to craft inviting spaces perfect for reading, sipping tea, or enjoying time with loved ones.
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your seating area with these Vintage Moroccan Hanging Lanterns, beautifully crafted from glass and metal
10. Colorful Outdoor Textiles
Elevate your garden seating with vibrant outdoor rugs, cushions, and textiles. These colorful additions offer comfort and enhance the aesthetic of your Moroccan-style garden, creating an inviting and visually stunning space.
Check out these outdoor cushion covers – they’re waterproof, super stylish with a mandala pattern, and perfect for adding a bit of fun to your garden space
11. Ambient Lighting
Lighting is key to the ambiance of a Moroccan garden. Incorporate lanterns, string lights, or solar-powered accents for a warm, inviting atmosphere after dusk. This lighting transforms your garden into a magical oasis, perfect for relaxation and making memories.
Enhance your garden’s ambiance with this Moroccan Lantern, perfect for creating a serene and visually stunning outdoor space.
Recommended Plants for Creating a Moroccan Style Garden in the UK
Creating a Moroccan-style garden in the UK involves selecting plants that can thrive in its climate while echoing the exotic feel of a Moroccan landscape. Here’s a list of 20 suitable plants:
- Olive Tree (Olea europaea) – Hardy and evergreen, offering a Mediterranean touch.
- Dwarf Palm (Chamaerops humilis) – Adds a tropical feel, hardy in milder regions.
- Agapanthus – Produces beautiful blue or white flowers, reminiscent of Moroccan skies.
- Lavender (Lavandula) – Fragrant and drought-tolerant, great for borders.
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – Aromatic and evergreen, perfect for sunny spots.
- Fig Tree (Ficus carica) – Produces fruit and has large, attractive leaves.
- Moroccan Mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa) – Ideal for ground cover and tea.
- Pomegranate Tree (Punica granatum) – Offers beautiful flowers and edible fruit.
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) – Fragrant white flowers, climbing habit.
- Bougainvillea – Needs a sunny, sheltered spot; provides vibrant color.
- Cordyline australis – Adds height and drama with its palm-like appearance.
- Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) – Ornamental grass with feathery plumes.
- Geraniums (Pelargonium) – Widely used in pots and baskets for vibrant color.
- Aeonium – Succulent with rosettes, adds an exotic touch.
- Spanish Dagger (Yucca gloriosa) – Striking form with sword-like leaves.
- Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo) – Adds a tropical feel, though not fruit-bearing.
- Sedum – Drought-tolerant and great for ground cover or rockeries.
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera) – Fragrant, climbing plant, ideal for walls or trellises.
- Nerium Oleander – Needs protection in winter; offers stunning, scented flowers.
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – Easy to grow, with bright, cheerful flowers.
These plants can help recreate the essence of a Moroccan garden in the UK, blending hardy varieties with more exotic species for a beautiful, resilient, and evocative outdoor space.
Final thoughts
By embracing the tips and ideas in this article, you can craft an enchanting Moroccan-style oasis, tailored to the UK climate. You don’t need expert gardening skills – just creativity, determination, and guidance from this post. Soon, you’ll be enjoying your own exotic retreat.
As you embark on creating your Moroccan-style garden, let this information inspire and empower you. Your garden is a personal space, reflecting your taste and personality. Dive into the world of Moroccan gardens, embrace vibrant colours, lush greenery, and intricate patterns, and create a space that truly resonates with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What plants are in a Moroccan garden?
Moroccan gardens often feature water-wise plants that thrive in warm climates. Key elements include palm trees, olive trees, and citrus trees like lemons and oranges. Fragrant herbs such as mint, lavender, and rosemary also frequently feature. Succulents and cacti can add unique structure and are suited to the drier conditions.
Q: What colour is Moroccan style?
Moroccan style is known for its warm, vibrant colour palette, drawing inspiration from the country’s natural landscape and rich history. Expect to see rich reds, deep blues, earthy browns, bold oranges, and radiant yellows.
Q: What is the national tree of Morocco?
The national tree of Morocco is the Argan tree. It is native to Morocco and is known for its resilience to drought and harsh conditions. Argan oil, which is derived from the tree’s nuts, is a popular product globally.
Q: What is the most popular tree in Morocco?
Apart from the Argan tree, olive trees are extremely popular in Morocco. They are often seen in both urban and rural landscapes and are a significant part of the Moroccan economy due to the production of olive oil.
Q: Why are trees painted white in Morocco?
In Morocco, tree trunks are often painted white to protect them from pests and prevent sun damage. The white colour reflects sunlight, helping to keep the trees cool in the harsh summer months.
