A stepping stone path meanders through drought-tolerant plantings including Dymondia, Rosemary 'Barbeque', and Euryops. The owner's favorite roses are integrated with Penstemon 'Apple Blossom' and variegated Tulbaghia 'Silver Lace' to provide color and contrast. Photo © Jude Parkinson-Morgan.

Oak Tree Setting With Hillside Views, Landscape Renovation, Northern California

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

APLD 2021 Silver Award Winning Landscape Design. An expansive back yard landscape with several mature oak trees and a stunning Golden Locust tree has been transformed into a welcoming outdoor retreat. The renovations include a wraparound deck, an expansive travertine natural stone patio, stairways and pathways along with concrete retaining walls and column accents with dramatic planters. The pathways meander throughout the landscape... some with travertine stepping stones and gravel and those below the majestic oaks left natural with fallen leaves. Raised vegetable beds and fruit trees occupy some of the sunniest areas of the landscape. A variety of low-water and low-maintenance plants for both sunny and shady areas include several succulents, grasses, CA natives and other site-appropriate Mediterranean plants complimented by a variety of boulders. Dramatic white pots provide architectural accents, filled with succulents and citrus trees. Design, Photos, Drawings © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Birds, Bees & Butterflies

Roxy Designs

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a mediterranean backyard partial sun xeriscape in San Francisco with concrete pavers.

California drought-tolerant garden

Kaiser Gardens

This is a California xeriscape succulent garden. Clients wanted color and texture with drought-resistant plant materials. They enjoy garden sculptures, so we included a Buddha and a Roman bust planted with succulents. The previous owners of the property left behind some old San Francisco cobblestones, which we incorporated into the new design, using them as garden steps. We built low, raised beds out of stone, also existing on the property, and used containers along steps and against existing concrete walls to soften the hard surfaces.

A San Rafael Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Guest cottage forecourt, with flagstone paving, also created by removing a section of the driveway. The planting and pots compliment the style of the house. This garden has been featured on the Marin Ecological Garden Tour 2009 through 2011. Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Folsom Front & Backyard Makeover

Luxury Outdoor Living, Inc.

The back lawn was replaced with new landscaping, a natural rock waterfall, steps up to a sitting area with new planting throughout the backyard.
Design ideas for a mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape for summer in Sacramento with with rock feature and natural stone pavers.

Gold Run Exteriors

Riverwood Homes of Colorado

Design ideas for a large mediterranean front yard xeriscape in Denver with with pond and river rock.

Las Lomas Drought Tolerant

Yard Maven

Photo of a small mediterranean backyard xeriscape in Los Angeles.

3D rendering for a landscape project - Cozy small firepit area for a modern home

Vscape - Outdoor Design

3D rendering for a landscape design project in Claremont, CA.
Photo of a small mediterranean front yard partial sun xeriscape for spring in Los Angeles with a fire feature, natural stone pavers and a wood fence.

Mediterranean Family Retreat

June Scott Design

Located in a historic neighborhood, this property features an Italian Revival home on a compact lot. The owners have lovingly restored the exterior, and we created a garden that feels both fresh and timeless. The design maximizes the site with a sparkling pool and a series of spaces for entertaining, relaxing and play. Generous custom tile work, a new pergola and gates, and iron lights and railings all elevate the design and extend the graciousness of the home’s interior into the new outdoor spaces.

San Rafael Hillside Renovation

BK Landscape Design

Mid-sized mediterranean front yard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco for summer.

Spanish Mediterranean

Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping

Large mediterranean front yard full sun xeriscape in Other with natural stone pavers and with path for summer.

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

User

This garden design for the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show consisted of 9 regularly spaced reflective pools with planting surrounding each. Inspired by the Roman Baths in Bath, these perfect squares suggested the regularity of the Hypocaust columns and serve as a reminder of the city’s relationship with water. The concept for the planting is ‘A modern meadow’; the mix of forms and colours is intentionally unusual. Well defined flower heads and shrubs in the foreground contrast against a hazy ‘fluffy’ backdrop evocative of steam rising from the hot spring water. The use of plants such as euphorbia, lavender, santolina and rosemary combined with breedon gravel paths evoke a mediterranean feel.

Vegetable Garden

MC Design LLC

An organic vegetable garden with an ocean view is luxury in its purest form. Two 15-foot by 4-foot raised planters were made out of redwood, and only the exteriors were stained to ensure no leeching occurs into the food.

5 Strawberry

Marchi and Associates

Inspiration for a mediterranean front yard xeriscape in Orange County with a container garden.

Toro Canyon Tuscan Style Pool and Landscape | Santa Barbara CA

Natural Concepts Landscaping Contractors

Design | Tim Doles Landscape Design Photography | Kurt Jordan Photography
Expansive mediterranean front yard full sun xeriscape in Santa Barbara with natural stone pavers.

Winding Fence Way

Promise Path Landscaping Inc

Bocce Ball court with decomposed granite
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean backyard full sun xeriscape for spring in San Diego with a garden path and natural stone pavers.

Plant Combinations - Northern California Gardens

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Part shade plant companions. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - Dwarf plumbago; Polygala 'Petite Butterflies' - Dwarf Sweet Pea Shrub, Dianella tasmanica 'Variegate' - Flax Lilly; Daphne odora marginata - Winter Daphne.

Our Work

California Native Landscape Design

Photo credit Rob Moore
Inspiration for a small mediterranean front yard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a garden path and brick pavers.

Spanish Courtyard

Studio H Landscape Architecture

Studio H Landscape Architecture
Design ideas for a mid-sized mediterranean courtyard partial sun xeriscape in Orange County with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Mediterranean Xeriscape Design Ideas

Get Inspired by Mediterranean Gardens on Houzz

A lot of the time when you get home from a long day at work, all you want to do is wind down. Where better to do this than in your very own Mediterranean garden at home? If you do it right, a great garden design can send you right into holiday mode. But where to start? There’s so many styles to choose from when it comes to garden design. Whether you want to create a tropical, modern, contemporary, beach style or country garden - or something else entirely - the large garden image gallery on Houzz has got you covered. Get inspired and collect your ideas to narrow down your desired garden style and features.

How to Create a Mediterranean Garden for Your Home

Depending on which style you’re going for, be sure to know what makes a Mediterranean garden and if it’s appropriate for your climate. You may want to consider adding a deck or other landscaping features, but the plants you choose will mostly dictate your style and what kind of ongoing maintenance is required. Don’t worry if your backyard isn’t very spacious - there are many plants that can thrive even in a small space and allow you to turn your space into a little paradise of your own, regardless of size.

Decide which plants to use

The greenery you choose is critical to your look. For example, if you’re trying to create a tropical garden palm trees and bamboo are your go-to options. Other popular options are golden cane palm trees and fern for ground cover. From there you can add some colour with bright flowers like frangipani, hibiscus or bromeliads. All these are actually quite hardy plants, so once established, your tropical garden is actually quite easy to maintain. Use this structure and apply it to your style. Research which plants you need to set your base for a Mediterranean garden and go from there.

Add some decor

If the plants don’t quite do it for you yet, or if you want to add some extra wow-factor, consider adding some extra features. Even if you can’t accommodate a swimming pool, hot tub or pond, you could look at smaller water features. Simple rocks can also have a great effect, while statues and gnomes will add some extra character. Don’t forget to add some furniture so you have a nice place to sit and enjoy your garden!

Need some help?

Once you know what you want your garden to look like, it may be hard to make it a reality on your own. If that is the case for you, consider consulting a professional to help you with your Mediterranean garden design. Every photo you find on Houzz will lead you to the local pro that did the job, so you won’t have a problem picking the perfect person to help! Whether you need a gardener in Brisbane, a landscape architect in Melbourne or a fireplace installer in Sydney, you can be sure to find one on Houzz.