hi there,
         we are looking for some ideas on planting some bulbs,shrubs or bushes to get a little colour around the house,but they need to be able to grow more or less on their own as we are not there all year round,any suggestions would be much appreciated.
   thanks.
    

In my experience,and I'm no Alan Titmarsh,if it doesn't grow wild or naturally then you will have problems especially if you're not here all the time.Geraniums are good but will need some watering

Have you heard of the 'Mediterranean Garden Society' (MGS) http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/ ;

It is a group who are interested in Mediterranean plants and having gardens that need very little water.  There is a Catalunya branch that is becoming active in this area, previously their activity was mainly in the north.

It is a society with members all over the world, they go on trips to various gardens and countries and have many experts in their membership.

If you are interested then give Brian Constable a call, 977059020 as he has been a member for many years and is trying to build interest in this area, he lives near L'Ampolla.

Many of the plants you'll find in garden centres are completely unsuitable for this climate, as will be almost anything that you bring from the UK.

One extremely well known garden centre that specialises in Mediterranean plants for dry gardens is Pépinière Filippi
(http://www.jardin-sec.com/). Also have a look at http://www.digthedirt.com/contributions/7131-The-Gardens-of-Olivier-Filippi-The-Driest-Gardens-on-Earth-, now wouldn't you like your garden to look like that, and not a drop of irregation in sight!

CACTUSSES I say no more :) :)

Or even Cacti.

it can be either cactusses or cacti. neither need watering :)

I have a part in my garden which I don't water and I grow Yuccas plus the variegated one, Irises, osteospermums purple ones seem to cope the best, periwinkle for ground cover all kinds of succulents, plus plants I'm don't know the name of they have a yellow daisy type flower with a emerald green leaf and they grow into a large bush There are several more that I grow but haven't a clue of there names.
Yours R.R.H.S.         

Parents are both avid gardeners (mother is a horticulturalist) , cacti,aloe and geraniums are about the best bet but try to get established plants if you are not in Spain full time - geraniums may look dead but a bucket of water and a nights sleep and you should see signs of life.