Mediterranean gardens celebrate their perfect climate by offering an unlimited choice of plant combinations. Areas with a so-called “Mediterranean climate”—characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters—can be found all over the globe but comprise only two percent of the world. Napa Valley is among that lucky two percent.

 

Mediterranean gardens complement our local architecture and life style. The plants that thrive in a Mediterranean garden conserve resources as they often do not require heavy fertilizing or a lot of water. 

 

Local nurseries offer numerous plants from Mediterranean climates, providing us with a large palette for plant combinations. When choosing plants that you think will look good together, make sure they also have the same soil, water and exposure requirements. 

 

Herbs combine beautifully in the garden. Consider filling a sunny spot with lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme. Creeping thyme doesn’t mind some foot traffic, so it works well between walkway pavers. Herbs enhance our landscapes with their color, texture and scent. They are easy to grow, and many are useful in the kitchen.

 

Mediterranean plant color combinations are endless. Purple- and yellow-blooming perennials make a vivid statement in the Mediterranean garden. Plant purple sea lavender (Limonium), yellow santolina and blue Russian sage together. Add a border of silvery lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) to finish the grouping. For dry areas with poor soil, combine yellow yarrow, violet society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and low-growing Santa Barbara daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) for a successful combination.

 

Roses fit in most sun-loving plant combinations. They are easy to grow and available in a wide variety of colors. Try white ‘Iceberg’ roses bordered by lavender-blue catnip. Hot pink ‘Flower Carpet’ roses combine well with lavender, and the climbing ‘Sally Holmes’ rose looks great surrounded by Santa Barbara daisies.

 

A bold plant always makes a nice accent in the garden. Many of the New Zealand flax varieties (and there are many) create a dramatic focal point with their bold, erect, sword-like leaves. The Mediterranean fan palm can also provide an eye-catching accent. It is one of the hardiest palms and can tolerate poor soil. Olive trees can also make a statement, and their grey-green foliage combines well with most other colors. Their branches become gnarled and picturesque as they age and can create beautiful silhouettes.

 

Citrus trees combine well with other Mediterranean plants. They offer seasonal interest, too, with year-round greenery, fragrant spring blooms and winter fruit. Try planting a Meyer lemon or kumquat amongst long-blooming perennials such as Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa), purple Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) and pink-hued Gaura lindheimeri.

 

Use grasses in combination with each other, or mix with perennials. Grasses make a great contribution to the garden with their narrow leaves and flower plumes. Deer grass makes a dense clump of green leaves and stalks of white flowers. Mexican feather grasshas gracefularching leaves with flowers in early summer. Purple fountain grass and blue oat grass both adapt well to dry locations. The former has stems topped with fuzzy, coppery- pink flower spikes and the latter has blue-hued leaves.

 

Mediterranean perennials transplant readily, so don’t be afraid to experiment with placement. When you bring them home from the garden center, move them around until you find that perfect combination. If you change your mind, no problem. Dig them up, move them,  and enjoy them in a different location next year.