Designing for a Mediterranean Climate

Creating a thriving garden in San Francisco starts with understanding its unique Mediterranean climate. In this talk, we’ll explore the key environmental factors that shape successful gardens, including water, sunlight, and soil. Learn how to work with your site’s natural conditions, select plants that will thrive, and make informed design choices that lead to a beautiful, resilient landscape. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing garden, you’ll leave with practical strategies to bring your best garden to life.

UC Master Gardener Presenter Rebecca Flato: Rebecca is a Northern California landscape designer specializing in drought-adapted and habitat gardens. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, she spent years as a design director in fashion and retail before following her passion for plants and studying horticulture at Merritt College. She now bridges design, horticulture, and ecology to create landscapes that are both beautiful and resilient. She is a certified California Native Plant Landscaper, a UC California Naturalist, and the owner of Sun Baby Nursery, where she grows and supplies unique California native plants for landscape projects. Her work combines thoughtful design with ecological principles to create beautiful, water-wise gardens that support local wildlife and thrive in California's Mediterranean climate. She joined the UC Master Gardener program in 2024.

Photo credit: Terry Lyngso, UC Master Gardener