Mediterranean Garden Ideas for San Francisco, California
Native plants from the California interior chaparral and woodlands (Zone 10b)
USDA Zone 10b
Hardiness zone for San Francisco
California interior chaparral and woodlands
Native ecoregionWhy Mediterranean Gardens in San Francisco?
With its warm, dry-summer climate (Köppen: Csb), San Francisco, CA is ideal for Mediterranean-style gardens. These drought-tolerant, fragrant plants thrive in Zone 10b, offering year-round beauty with minimal water requirements.
Featured Trees & Shrubs for Mediterranean Gardens
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Black Sage
Salvia mellifera
Native shrub that grows to 4 feet, white blooms in spring. Attracts butterflies.
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus
Native shrub that reaches 7 feet tall, white blooms in spring. Attracts butterflies.
Bush Poppy
Dendromecon rigida
Native shrub that grows to 6 feet, yellow blooms in spring. Pollinator-friendly.
California Brittlebush
Encelia californica
Native shrub that grows to 4 feet, yellow blooms in spring. Attracts butterflies.
Featured Grasses & Groundcovers for Mediterranean Gardens
California Brome
Bromus carinatus
Native grass that compact, green blooms in spring. Deer-resistant.
California Melic
Melica californica
Native grass that compact, green blooms in spring. Drought-tolerant.
California Oatgrass
Danthonia californica
Native grass that compact, green blooms in spring. Drought-tolerant.
Deer Grass
Muhlenbergia rigens
Native grass that grows to 3 feet, yellow blooms in fall. Drought-tolerant.
Featured Flowers & Perennials for Mediterranean Gardens
California Gray Rush
Juncus patens
Native emergent that compact, brown blooms in summer. Easy care.
California Fuchsia
Zauschneria californica
Native flower that compact, red blooms in fall. Attracts hummingbirds.
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Native flower that compact, orange blooms in spring. Drought-tolerant.
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
Native flower that compact, blue blooms in spring. Attracts hummingbirds.
Bloom Calendar for San Francisco
spring
California Poppy, Foothill Penstemon, Foothill Sedgesummer
California Gray Rush, Black Sage, California Buckwheatfall
California Fuchsia, Deer Grasswinter
Limited bloomsDesign Tips for Zone 10b
- Choose plants rated for Zone 10b or colder to ensure winter survival
- Provide afternoon shade for plants sensitive to intense summer heat
- Group plants with similar water needs for efficient irrigation
- Include native plants from the California interior chaparral and woodlands for best results
Mediterranean Design Gallery for San Francisco
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