In the Bay Area’s Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, selecting drought-tolerant plants is essential for maintaining a beautiful and sustainable landscape while conserving water.
Many of our clients that we serve in Alameda, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, Albany and the surrounding areas, come to us wanting to remove their lawns, or at least some of it, and install a drought friendly garden with beautiful native plants. Add we say, let’s go!
So here is a mix of ten native California as well as Mediterranean style plants that thrive in the East Bay Area’s climate, requiring minimal irrigation once established:
1. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica):
Known for its vibrant orange blooms, the California poppy is a native wildflower that thrives in the Bay Area’s dry, sunny conditions. It’s drought-tolerant and self-seeding, making it an excellent choice for naturalistic garden settings.
For a recent client in Alameda who loves the orange palate, this was a perfect choice!
2. Lavender (Lavandula spp.]
With its aromatic foliage and fragrant flowers, lavender is a popular choice for Bay Area gardens. This Mediterranean herb is well-adapted to dry conditions and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations. It adds color, texture, and scent to the landscape while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
At a garden in El Cerrito, we installed English lavender, and Spanish lavender, so our client could enjoy more than one variety!
3. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).
Rosemary is a versatile and drought-tolerant herb that adds beauty and functionality to Bay Area landscapes. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, and its aromatic leaves can be used for culinary purposes. Plant rosemary in a sunny location with well-drained soil for best results.
One of our clients in Oakland is a professional chef, and wanted an herb bed near their back kitchen window so they could easily pull our rosemary for their delicious dishes!
4. Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Salvias, also known as sages, encompass a diverse group of flowering perennials that thrive in the Bay Area’s climate. With their vibrant blooms and aromatic foliage, salvias attract pollinators and add color to the garden while requiring minimal water once established.
One of our clients in El Cerrito loves Salvias so much that we planted more varieties than we could count! From Red tinged Hot Lips, or the deep purple of Black & Blues, or the soft fuzziness of Mexican Sage, Salvias have something for everyone!
5. Agave (Agave spp.)
Agaves are striking succulents with architectural rosettes of fleshy leaves, making them excellent focal points or container plants in Bay Area landscapes. These drought-tolerant plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring little to no supplemental irrigation.
Who doesn’t love succulents? Whether our clients live in Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland, El Ceritto, Albany, or the surrounding areas, we have requests from all of them to put in succulents, the most drought tolerant plants of all!
6. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp.)
Native to Australia but well-suited to Mediterranean climates, kangaroo paws are drought-tolerant perennials known for their unique tubular flowers. They thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil and add a splash of color to the landscape with their bold blooms.
Kangaroo Paw is a beautiful and prolific plant that not only grows rather rapidly, but also doesn’t mind being separated and replanted. A client in Oakland started out with one small plant that has now grown around her entire yard!
7. New Zealand Flax (Phormium spp.)
New Zealand flax is a hardy and drought-tolerant plant that adds textural interest to Bay Area gardens with its upright, sword-like leaves. Available in a variety of colors and sizes, New Zealand flax thrives in coastal conditions and requires minimal water once established.
Our client in Berkeley has a beautiful Phormium metropolis with New Zealand flaxs of all colors and sizes. It’s quite impressive!
8. Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis)
Mediterranean fan palm is a slow-growing palm species that adds a touch of exoticism to Bay Area landscapes. Drought-tolerant and cold-hardy, this palm thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for Mediterranean-inspired gardens.
An Alameda client loves to have a tropical feel in their big, sunny backyard, making it feel like you’re on vacation all the time!
9. Rose Campion (Silene coronaria)
Rose campion is a charming biennial or short-lived perennial with silvery foliage and vibrant magenta flowers. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, rose campion thrives in sunny, dry conditions and self-seeds readily, creating a cottage garden atmosphere in Bay Area landscapes.
One of our clients in Albany really loves the cottage look. Installing these plants really helps enhance that feeling!
10. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria)
Red hot poker, also known as torch lily, is a striking perennial with tall spikes of tubular flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. Drought-tolerant and long-blooming, red hot poker adds vertical interest and vibrant color to sunny borders and rock gardens in Bay Area landscapes.
Remember our clients in Alameda who loved the orange palate? This became another perfect choice for their garden, and especially went well with the rock garden feel on their property!
Conclusion:
By incorporating these top 10 drought-tolerant plants (and more!) into your Bay Area landscape, you can create a beautiful and sustainable garden that thrives even during periods of water scarcity. Whether you’re looking for vibrant blooms, aromatic foliage, or architectural interest, there’s a drought-tolerant plant to suit every garden style and preference.
Ready to transform your landscape with drought-tolerant plants? Contact Rendered Stone Landscapes for expert guidance and personalized design solutions tailored to your Bay Area garden.
