Mixed Mediterranean and California Native Garden
This garden is a mix of Mediterranean (non-CA Native) plants and California Native plants with an emphasis on Mediterranean plants not native to California. The garden illustrates the similarities and differences of plants from various Mediterranean areas, and how they can be combined in a low water garden.
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Description |
| Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' | A perennial herb, which grows in low mats of fern-like foliage, with tiny red and yellow flowers in flat heads up to 18 inches high. The flowers age from red to pink, creamy yellow and then brown. The foliage can have a strong somewhat spicy smell. "Paprika" is a variety selection coming originally from Europe. | |
| Albuca altissima | Candlelabra Lily | A clump forming lily native to the cape of South Africa, an evergreen plant with white to yellow flowers and a pleasant smell. |
| Alyogyne huegelii 'Santa Cruz' | Blue Hibiscus | A hardy and adaptable tall evergreen shrub from southwest Australia, with large scented light blue flowers that are similar to hibiscus. |
| Anisodontea 'Tara's Pink' | Evergreen shrub, with aromatic, rough-textured, lobed, light green leaves. Species are native to coastal South Africa This garden hybrid of A. x hypomandarum and A. scabrosa, with larger leaves and flowers. , well-drained soils. Best near the coast. Sunset: 14-24 | |
| Arctotis 'Fire' | African daisy | This low growing evergreen perennial forms 6-8” high rosettes of woolly 2” rounded leaves, grayish-green above and silvery underneath. In late fall, 3” reddish-orange nodding flowers sprout on 3-5” skyward stems, each with a chocolate brown center. Plants flower continuously through the winter and into early spring, making it one of the best additions for winter color. Once established, this South African native is one of the most drought tolerant plants you'll ever grow. |
| Arthropodium cirratum ‘Renga Lily’ | New Zealand native with elegant dense clumps of glossy elongated leaves to 2’x2’. plentiful 2’ long showy, long-lasting graceful sprays of white orchid-like flowers ornamented with fuzzy pink and yellow stamens. | |
| Cistanthe grandiflora (was Calandrinia grandiflora) | Rock Purslane, Caladrinia | A native of Chile, this is a succulent perennial with mounding rosettes of gray green leaves from which rise long stems of purple, Rockrose like flowers that each last only one day. |
| Cistus 'Elma' | Rock Rose | Larger than life and wonderfully upright! To say that the blooms on this selection of Rockrose are big would be an understatement. They are massive! A bevy of blossoms will adorn this dense, drought tolerant shrub in spring and summer. Dark green, fragrant leaves will add a Mediterranean perfume to the air year-round. Plant in full sun with well drained soils for healthy growth and extended bloom. This beauty is deceptively low maintenance. Light tipping back will keep this selection a tight and tidy 5’ wide and 5’ tall. With a little extra training, this selection can be maintained at a svelte 3’ wide. |
| Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset' | Magenta Rockrose | A naturually occurring hybrid rockrose from southwestern Europe, this is an evergreen groundcover to 21/2 feet tall with bright magenta flowers from spring into fall. |
| Cistus x purpureus | Orchid Rockrose | Hardy Evergreen Perennial |
| Dymondia margaritae | Silver Carpet | Flat groundcover native to coastal Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
| Erysimum 'Winter Gem' or 'Bowles Mauve' | Wallflower | Creates an attractive rounded form of slender purplish-grey leaves topped with a continuous wave of lightly scented 1” single purple-violet flowers on upright 8” stems. |
| Grevillea fililoba | Spider Net Grevillea Hummingbird Grevillea | An upright shrub endemic to southwest Australia, a graceful shrub with fine, soft, gray- green and slightly hairy divided leaves and spidery clusters of pink to bright red flowers. Attractive to hummingbirds. |
| Grevillea lanigera 'Coastal Gem' | ||
| Helianthemum 'Wisly Pink' | Wisly Pink Sunrose | |
| Helianthemum nummularium 'Belgrava Rose' | Sunrose | Mediterranean groundcover, forming a low silvery matt of gray green follage |
| Laurus nobilus 'Little Ragu' | Sweet Bay | Large evergreen shrub, dark green leaves and inconspicuous, greenish yellow flowers in spring. Native to low-elevation and coastal habitats in the Mediterranean region, well-drained soils |
| Lavandula angustifolia | English Lavender | |
| Lavandula stoechas | Spanish or French Lavender | Very beautiful silvery white foliage (with a blue cast), dense form and highest rating for toughness, blooms profusely in spring with highly scented deep purple spikelets topped by violet petals. |
| Lomandra confertifolium ssp. rubinginosa 'Seascape' | Seascape Mat Rush | |
| Luecodendron galpini 'Silver Cone' | Silver Cone | |
| Myoporum parvifolium ‘Pink’ | Prostrate or Creeping Myoporum | An evergreen shrub, fast growing, with small, finely toothed, linear to narrowly oblong, mid-green leaves, new growth sometimes purplish, and bell-shaped, white or pale pink flowers and native to South Africa |
| Myrtus communis 'Compacta' | Dwarf Myrtle | An evergreen slow growing shrub with small, aromatic, glossy, dark green leaves, new growth reddish, and small, fragrant, white flowers with long, yellow stamens in summer. Native to Mediterranean regions of southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. |
| Olea 'Lil Ollie' | Dwarf Olive, Little Olive | |
| Phlomis fruticosa | Jerusalem Sage | Easy & fast growing to a compact shrub yellow flowers, stunning golden fuzz covers the linear olive leaves especially from Spring-Fall |
| Salvia rosmarinus 'Tuscan Blue' | Upright Rosemary | |
| Tecomaria capensis 'DRWE 001' | Dwarf Cape Town Red Tecomaria | |
| Teucrium chamaedrys prostratum | Prostrate Wall Germander | |
| Thymus praecox | Creeping Thyme | |
| Tulbaghia violacea | Society Garlic | |
| Westringia 'Blue Gem' | Blue Gem Coast Rosemary |
Achillea millefolium 'Paprika'
A perennial herb, which grows in low mats of fern-like foliage, with tiny red and yellow flowers in flat heads up to 18 inches high. The flowers age from red to pink, creamy yellow and then brown. The foliage can have a strong somewhat spicy smell. "Paprika" is a variety selection coming originally from Europe.
Advantages: xx
Bloom Period: Spring throuh fall
Height: 2'
Width:
Light Requirements: Sun, light shade
Water Requirements: Drought resistant
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Albuca altissima
Candlelabra Lily
A clump forming lily native to the cape of South Africa, an evergreen plant with white to yellow flowers and a pleasant smell.
Advantages: An evergreen clump forming lily with yellow flowers that is drought tolerant once established.
Bloom Period: Early summer
Height: 2'-3'
Width: 2'
Light Requirements: Full sun, partial shade
Water Requirements: Low water
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Alyogyne huegelii 'Santa Cruz'
Blue Hibiscus
A hardy and adaptable tall evergreen shrub from southwest Australia, with large scented light blue flowers that are similar to hibiscus.
Advantages: Hardy, drought tolerant, frost tolerant, long flowering period
Bloom Period: Summer to fall
Height: 6-10'
Width: 6-10'
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Anisodontea 'Tara's Pink'
Evergreen shrub, with aromatic, rough-textured, lobed, light green leaves. Species are native to coastal South Africa This garden hybrid of A. x hypomandarum and A. scabrosa, with larger leaves and flowers. , well-drained soils. Best near the coast. Sunset: 14-24
Advantages: Pink to purplish flowers with darker or lighter veins and centers
Bloom Period: Summer or much of the year in mild climates.
Height: 6-8'
Width:
Light Requirements: Cool sun to light shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Arctotis 'Fire'
African daisy
This low growing evergreen perennial forms 6-8” high rosettes of woolly 2” rounded leaves, grayish-green above and silvery underneath. In late fall, 3” reddish-orange nodding flowers sprout on 3-5” skyward stems, each with a chocolate brown center. Plants flower continuously through the winter and into early spring, making it one of the best additions for winter color. Once established, this South African native is one of the most drought tolerant plants you'll ever grow.
Advantages: Pink to purplish flowers with darker or lighter veins and centers
Bloom Period: Spring, Fall, Winter
Height: 6-8"
Width: 18"
Light Requirements:
Water Requirements: Low
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Arthropodium cirratum ‘Renga Lily’
New Zealand native with elegant dense clumps of glossy elongated leaves to 2’x2’. plentiful 2’ long showy, long-lasting graceful sprays of white orchid-like flowers ornamented with fuzzy pink and yellow stamens.
Advantages: Low maintenance evergreen, heat drought and clay tolerant
Bloom Period: Summer
Height: 2'
Width: 2'
Light Requirements: Shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Cistanthe grandiflora (was Calandrinia grandiflora)
Rock Purslane, Caladrinia
A native of Chile, this is a succulent perennial with mounding rosettes of gray green leaves from which rise long stems of purple, Rockrose like flowers that each last only one day.
Advantages: A showy and hardy perennial, with few pests and diseases, heat and drought resistant, and long blooming with large flowers that open sequentially along the stems.
Bloom Period: Spring - Fall
Size: Foliage to 1 foot, stems to 3 feet, 2-3 feet wide
Light Requirements: Sun, part shade
Water Requirements: Low water
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Cistus 'Elma'
Rock Rose
Photo Courtesy of Annie's Annuals & Perennials
Larger than life and wonderfully upright! To say that the blooms on this selection of Rockrose are big would be an understatement. They are massive! A bevy of blossoms will adorn this dense, drought tolerant shrub in spring and summer. Dark green, fragrant leaves will add a Mediterranean perfume to the air year-round. Plant in full sun with well drained soils for healthy growth and extended bloom. This beauty is deceptively low maintenance. Light tipping back will keep this selection a tight and tidy 5’ wide and 5’ tall. With a little extra training, this selection can be maintained at a svelte 3’ wide.
Advantages: Attracts butterflies & Bees, deer resistant, drought tolerent
Bloom Period: Spring to fall
Size: 5' high, 3' wide
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Low water
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Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset'
Magenta Rockrose
A naturually occurring hybrid rockrose from southwestern Europe, this is an evergreen groundcover to 21/2 feet tall with bright magenta flowers from spring into fall.
Advantages: A drought tolerant evergreen groundcover that can tolerate poor soil and dry heat. Adds showy color with lots of pink to magenta blooms. Easy care.
Bloom Period: Spring to fall
Size: 2-3 feet tall x 6-8 feet wide
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Low water, drought tolerant
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Cistus x purpureus
Orchid Rockrose
Hardy Evergreen Perennial
Advantages: Drought tolerant; Tolerates seaside conditions; Showy flowers
Bloom Period: Spring into Summer
Height: 4’
Width: 4-6’
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Dymondia margaritae
Silver Carpet
Flat groundcover native to coastal Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Advantages: Forms dense tight mat with long, narrow, dark gray-green leaves, silvery white beneath. Well-drained soils. Best near the coast. Yellow daisy flowers
Bloom Period: Summer
Height: 1-3"
Width: 2-3'
Light Requirements: Sun on Coast, light shade inland
Water Requirements: Low
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Erysimum 'Winter Gem' or 'Bowles Mauve'
Wallflower
Creates an attractive rounded form of slender purplish-grey leaves topped with a continuous wave of lightly scented 1” single purple-violet flowers on upright 8” stems.
Advantages: Great for long-lasting color in cottage or dryish gardens. Clay tolerant, deer resistant, attracts butterflys and bees
Bloom Period: early spring to fall
Height: 2'
Width: 2'
Light Requirements:
Water Requirements:
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Grevillea fililoba
Spider Net Grevillea Hummingbird Grevillea
An upright shrub endemic to southwest Australia, a graceful shrub with fine, soft, gray- green and slightly hairy divided leaves and spidery clusters of pink to bright red flowers. Attractive to hummingbirds.
Advantages:
Bloom Period: July - September
Size: 5' high x 10' wide
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Helianthemum nummularium 'Belgrava Rose'
Sunrose
Photo Courtesy of Annie's Annuals & Perennials
Mediterranean groundcover, forming a low silvery matt of gray green follage
Advantages: The standout clusters of 1” bright chiffony cerise colored flowers with vivid yellow stamens are magnets for hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators!
Bloom Period: Spring, Summer
Size: 6" high, 2-3' wide
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Lavandula stoechas
Spanish or French Lavender
Photo Courtesy of Annie's Annuals & Perennials
Very beautiful silvery white foliage (with a blue cast), dense form and highest rating for toughness, blooms profusely in spring with highly scented deep purple spikelets topped by violet petals.
Advantages: Loved by bees and butterflies, deer resistant.
Bloom Period: Spring
Size: 2' high, 2' wide
Light Requirements: Full sun
Water Requirements: Low
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Laurus nobilus 'Little Ragu'
Sweet Bay
Large evergreen shrub, dark green leaves and inconspicuous, greenish yellow flowers in spring. Native to low-elevation and coastal habitats in the Mediterranean region, well-drained soils
Advantages:
Bloom Period: Spring
Size: Dwarf
Light Requirements: Cool sun to light shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Myoporum parvifolium ‘Pink’
Prostrate or Creeping Myoporum
Photo courtesy of WUCOLS
An evergreen shrub, fast growing, with small, finely toothed, linear to narrowly oblong, mid-green leaves, new growth sometimes purplish, and bell-shaped, white or pale pink flowers and native to South Africa.
Advantages: Spreads by rooting stems, short lived, drapes over walls, and good seaaside plant
Bloom Period: Spring, Summer
Size: 6-8' high, 6-10' wide
Light Requirements: Sun or light shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Myrtus communis 'Compacta'
Dwarf Myrtle
Photo courtesy of WUCOLS
An evergreen slow growing shrub with small, aromatic, glossy, dark green leaves, new growth reddish, and small, fragrant, white flowers with long, yellow stamens in summer. Native to Mediterranean regions of southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia.
Advantages: It is one of the most popular and well adapted plants for clipped hedge and topiary uses.
Bloom Period:
Size: 5-8' high, 5-8' wide
Light Requirements: Sun or light shade
Water Requirements: Low
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Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem Sage
Easy & fast growing to a compact shrub yellow flowers, stunning golden fuzz covers the linear olive leaves especially from Spring-Fall
Advantages: Easy & fast growing to a compact shrub
Bloom Period:
Height: 3'
Width: 3.5'
Light Requirements: Sun
Water Requirements: Low water
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