The Mediterranean in Your Backyard

The Mediterranean Sea may be on the other side of the world, but that doesn't mean you can't have a taste of that region in your own garden, says Master Gardener David Peterson.

In partnership with the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, Peterson taught a free class Saturday at Gamble Garden in Palo Alto to a roomful of eager gardeners about how California's unique climate makes it the perfect place to grow all manner of both native and Mediterranean plants. In fact, he said, it's one of only five regions in the world in which such rare types of plants can thrive.

Peterson began by pointing out a common misconception—in a gardening context, the word "Mediterranean" does not necessarily mean from the Mediterranean region, near the Mediterranean Sea. Rather, it refers to a particular climate found in only a few places in the world.

"Basically, 'Mediterranean' is a word we use to describe plants that can tolerate dry conditions—dry, summer conditions," he said.

Peterson explained that there are five Mediterranean regions in the world, making up approximately 1-2 percent of the Earth's land mass. The area along the Mediterranean Sea is one, and another extends vertically down the California Coast, from southern Oregon along the crest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains all the way down into northern Baja, Calif. This area is known as the "California Floristic Province."

According to the organization Conservation International, of the 3,500 different species of vascular plants found in the California Floristic Province, more than 60 percent of them are found nowhere else in the world.

"All five of the world's Mediterranean regions share the same characteristics—mainly, that goofy climate. Here, from April through October, we have virtually no rain at all. All our rain is in the winter months," he explained. "Also, each of the five regions has a strong, marine influence, such as we have here near the coast."

Therefore, Peterson said, when deciding what plants to grow in your garden, there are many reasons why it is beneficial to choose plants native to California.

"Any plant native to this Mediterranean region is probably something you can work with," he said, "because native California plants have adapted to our long-term climate system, since the Ice Age."

It all goes back to the basic rules of gardening, he added.

"There are two things that determine where a plant will grow—climate, and soil."

In Saturday's class, Peterson brought out soil maps of the Bay Area, dating all the way back to 1938. He invited each attendee to try to find their neighborhood on the map, to get an idea of what type of soil is most prevalent there.

"Most of Santa Clara County used to be grasslands," he reminded everyone. "That's why the soils here are so great."

As for climate, he said, you can maximize your success even further by considering your home's "micro-climates."

"There are a lot of micro-climates as well, even just around your house," he said. "For example, maybe the north side of your house gets the most shade."

Peterson and his wife, Judith Cody, also a Master Gardener, gave tips on choosing California native plants—in other words, plants that existed in California prior to European contact—and Mediterranean plants with a good chance of blossoming in Bay Area gardens.

A long list of California native and Mediterranean plants were handed out to attendees, and Peterson discussed a few such as the Monterey Pine; the California Buckeye tree, famous for its long leaves, silver bark and poisonous nuts; and the beautiful California Fuchsia flower.

Cody named several types of native roses that can thrive in Bay Area gardens, such as California Wild Roses, pink Wood Roses, mutabilis—an ancient garden rose first found in China in the 1800s whose petals change colors and resemble butterflies—and many varieties of Rosa Rugosa.

"Rosa Rugosas do very well in Mediterranean climates, even in salty soils," Cody said. "There are a huge number of varieties that work well here."

Peterson and Cody encouraged everyone to do their research. There are many helpful books on the subjects of California native plants and Mediterranean climates, he said, and there are a few "demo gardens" within driving distance where you can see examples with your own eyes and buy native plants for your home garden. Two such demo gardens are at Sierra Azule Nursery in Watsonville and Yerba Buena Nursery on Skyline Boulevard in Woodside.

Peterson and Cody concluded with a reminder that the Master Gardener program teaches free, monthly classes that are open to anyone and also runs a hotline for gardeners to call in for advice and answers to their gardening problems.

Abby Garner, who was in attendance Saturday, says she still attends many of the monthly classes, in spite of the fact that she graduated from the Master Gardener program more than 10 years ago.

"The goal of our program is to teach sustainable gardening—in other words, low water and low pesticides, so we don't use up all of our natural resources, and also so we don't kill what we grow," she said. "I still come to many of these great classes, taught by David and Judith, because you still never know what great tips you'll pick up."

For more information on the UC Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Program, serving the Santa Clara County, call 408-282-3105 or e-mail mgsantaclara@yahoo.com.

The Master Gardener Information Hotline is open for calls every Friday, 1-4 p.m. Call 650-329-1356, ext. 205.

Get your hands on these great books, recommended by Master Gardener David Peterson. Many can be found at Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center, 559 College Ave.:

• Plants and Landscapes for Summer-dry Climates of the San Francisco Bay Region, by the East Bay Municipal Utility District

• California Native Plants for the Garden, by Carol Bornstein, David Fross and Bart O'Brien; Cachuma Press

• Flora of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, by John Thomas; Stanford University Press, 1961