Growing on the steep walls of the Kolymbetra, at the foot of the limestone cliffs, it covers 18% of the whole estate. In the Valley of the Temples, almond trees (Prunus dulcis) and olive trees (Olea europaea) are the most widespread species, well adapted to the soil and the long periods of drought. During the restoration works, about 1.500 specimens were planted, including 300 varieties of almond trees, blooming from December to March: they’re arranged in multiple rows and often flanked by olive trees or sapling vines.

A beautiful specimen of Olea europea grows in the olive grove and it’s acknowledged as the oldest in the whole area: its foliage reaches a height of 16.4 ft and the trunk has a circumference of 21 ft; it’s around 600-700 years old.

The Mediterranean bush

The spontaneous vegetation, already thriving before the restoration work by FAI, consists of typical Mediterranean trees and shrubs. There are carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), on the steep and sunniest slopes, laurels (Laurus nobilis), in a dedicated area of the garden, and wild olive trees (Olea europaea var. “oleaster”), on the cliffs and in the cavities of the limestone walls.

Among the shrubs, there are mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), Mediterranean buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus subsp. Alaternus), Japanese cheesewood (Phillyrea spp.), terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), and European fan palms, the only ones which grow spontaneously in the Mediterranean area; until a few years ago, their leaves were used for weaving and their hair for padding, rope, mat and broom manufacturing.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis) also grows here, with some specimens of remarkable size: they can be some 24.6-ft high, with a stem circumference between 3.2 and 4.9 (see dedicated page).

The Riparian vegetation

Growing along the waterways in the garden, it is made of hydrophilic plants, such as common reed (Arundo donax), Salix pedicellata, Tamarix africana and Ricinus communis.

The Rock vegetation

On the rocky outcrops, with roots buried in the cracks, some porous and hydrophilic species thrive – as they’re capable of living in these extreme conditions; they include Euphorbia dendroides, Chamaerops humilis, Umbilicus rupestris, Sedum sedifome, Phlomis fruticosa, caper bush (Capparis sativa), and osyris (Osyris alba).

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