Mediterranean Garden

Mediterranean gardens work well with most Southern California homes. If you reside in a home that is not custom built, often in a planned community, this style might be appropriate for your architecture. Mediterranean yards feature clean lines and neutral colors with a casual elegance with areas depicting an outdoor lifestyle. Natural elements are used, including terra cotta pots, clay patio tiles, stone and paver walkways, decorative stone, statues, free-standing fountains, and of course, elegant swimming pools, spas, and outdoor entertainment areas. These gardens are often formal near the residence but become more informal as the landscape extends into the yard. Although the landscape plants look lush and elegant, the majority of shrubs and trees used are drought-tolerant plants. Water features are important. When you enter the back yard patio retreat, serene water fountains surrounded by flowering shrubs, combined with the smell of fragrant herbs and blooming citrus provide a calm, tranquil setting.

Mediterranean Garden Elements: Natural stone or tumbled pavers create interesting patios and walkways. Arbors and pergolas with decomposed granite floors add areas of relaxation, as do seating areas within the garden. Outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas are a popular addition, especially if a classic-shaped pool and elevated spa is part of the back yard design. Decorative tiered water fountains, water urns, and fire pits add audio and visual pleasure for family and guests. Depending on your lifestyle, a bocce ball court is an authentic element for the Mediterranean Estate.

Mediterranean Garden Plants: The Mediterranean plant palette contains wonderful choices, as well as surprises. Planting leans on cool colors and silvery greens with few, if any, flowers. Some familiar shrub species include Rosemary, Lavender, Salvia, Mexican Heather, Acacia, Kangaroo Paws, Callistemon, Grevillea, Dudleya, Blue Fescue, Monkey Flower, Penstemon, Cistus, Euphorbia, Santolina, Leucadendron, and succulents such as Aloe, Agave, Echeveria, and Kniphofia. Citrus trees, both in containers and trained on walls as espaliers, are important. Trees include Olives, Dwarf Columnar Cypress/Junipers, Palos Verdes, and Dragon trees. Depending on the size of the yard, some specimen trees such as Stone or Aleppo Pines frame the yard’s perimeter. Placed properly, raised herb and vegetable gardens are an excellent addition. A maze or labyrinth may be created with small hedges such as Boxwood, Carpet Roses, or rows of Dwarf Daylilies with mixed colors.

Tuscan Estate

Informal hardscape, with a sense of old-world simplicity, features architecture that looks weathered, with masses of rustic stone or old brick on the structure and walls. An entry courtyard with a heavy wood gate is the focal point of this garden. Fountains and statuary are surrounded by a naturalized, plant palette of Mediterranean shrubs, trees and flowering vines.