Plants that shape the Marrakech garden
The climate of Marrakech is semi arid, with hot dry summers, mild winters and occasional frosty nights. Plants that thrive here must tolerate strong sun, poor rainfall and a long dry season. Over the centuries gardeners have relied on a core group of trees and shrubs that are both useful and decorative, and in the twentieth century collectors added many species from the Americas, Africa and Asia. Below is an introduction to the plants you are most likely to notice.
Date palm
The date palm is a symbol of the city. Legend says the palm groves north of Marrakech grew from date stones dropped by early travellers, and while the story is uncertain, the palms have been part of the landscape for centuries. In gardens they provide vertical lines and light shade, and their trunks frame views beautifully. They need deep water at the roots but can cope with very hot air.
Olive tree
Olive trees fill the great historic orchards of the Menara and the Agdal. They are extremely tolerant of drought and heat, live for centuries and produce fruit and oil that were essential to the local economy. Their silver green leaves soften the strong light and give historic gardens their characteristic calm colour.
Citrus trees
Bitter orange, sweet orange and lemon trees are the classic courtyard trees. They are evergreen, so they give shade all year, and in spring their white blossom fills the air with perfume. Bitter orange trees line many streets and squares of Moroccan cities, and their fruit is used for marmalade and flower water rather than eaten fresh.
Pomegranate and fig
These two fruit trees are traditional companions of the olive in Moroccan orchards. The pomegranate has bright orange red flowers in late spring and decorative fruit in autumn, while the fig offers broad leaves and dense summer shade. Both cope well with dry conditions once established.
Cacti and succulents
Cacti and other succulents became a feature of Marrakech gardens in the twentieth century, especially through collectors such as Jacques Majorelle. Tall columnar cacti, golden barrel cacti, agaves and aloes store water in their tissues and need very little irrigation. Their sculptural shapes stand out strongly against coloured walls, which is why they are often planted in front of painted surfaces.
Bougainvillea and jasmine
Climbers soften the architecture. Bougainvillea covers walls with purple, magenta or orange bracts for much of the year, while jasmine is grown for its sweet evening scent. Both are typical of courtyard gardens, where they climb trellises and frame doorways.
Bamboo and water plants
Where more water is available, gardeners create lush contrasts with bamboo groves, papyrus and water lilies in basins. These plants are used sparingly and usually close to water features, creating a sense of freshness that feels surprising in a dry city.
Roses and aromatic herbs
Roses have a long history in Morocco, and the valleys south of the Atlas are famous for fragrant roses grown for rose water. In gardens, roses, mint, rosemary, lavender and basil are often planted near paths and seating areas so that their scent is released when people brush past them.
Choosing plants for a dry garden
The lesson of the Marrakech garden is to combine a few deeply rooted shade trees with tough, drought tolerant shrubs and a limited number of water loving plants placed exactly where water is available. Grouping plants according to their water needs, mulching the soil and watering early in the morning all help to keep a garden green with modest resources. These principles apply to many warm regions of the world and make the Moroccan garden a useful model for sustainable landscaping.