Plant species grown in the Mediterranean region have been selected for an experimental study regarding plant ability to endure harsh, abiotic conditions such as water deficiency. Young plants of Ceratonia siliqua L., Myrtus communis L., Nerium oleander L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) were placed in elongated plastic tubes and rhizotrons, which allow non-destructive observations of plant material, and were grown under controlled light and temperature conditions, with varying irrigation patterns in a growth chamber, for a 30-day period. Sugar, proline and chlorophyll content were measured in above and below ground tissues of the considered species, during the 30-day experimental period. The results show that Ceratonia siliqua, Myrtus communis and Nerium oleander are more capable of enduring drought conditions, in comparison to Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.). The results can be used for planning green urban landscapes with introduction of naturalistic planting, using plant species adapted to the scarcity of water during prolonged, ambient drought conditions.

The perennial geophyte sea daffodil, sea lily or sand lily (Pancratium maritimum L.) is a flowering species during the dry summer, widely distributed along Mediterranean seashores and grown in a wild stage. Populations of sea daffodil are exposed to sea breeze, salt spray, water shortage, strong solar radiation, elevated temperatures, substrate instability and moving sand. Also, it is expected that excessive tourism and human-induced activities will constrain the development of populations of P. maritimum, which have resulted from a long-term evolutionary process. P. maritimum exhibits large white flowers of a great aesthetic value during dry and hot summer weather conditions, when simultaneously flowering plant taxa are scarce. The buds remain protected below the soil surface on the underground perennial organ and the growth period alternates with a period of dormancy. The above-ground organs and tissues are exposed to harsh, ambient conditions and the large inflorescences of remarkable beauty and fragrance carry particular ornamental worth and thus economic value.