Santa Barbara is in one of only five Mediterranean climates in the world. This greatly influences our garden and architectural styles.

The Mediterranean garden gains its character from the mild climate due to the ocean's influential buffer. Rising from the ocean are the sunbathed foothills and precipitous mountain slopes. Rainfall is limited to the winter months and the summers are moderate and dry. These conditions help to shape the character of the architectural detail and horticultural expressions. Plant material such as Olive, Cypress, Citrus, Lavender and Rosemary best represent the Mediterranean garden. Spain, Italy, and France have been the inspirational source of these details. Many of which have been expressed in California’s architecture and gardens, particularly in the era of the 1920 Great estates.

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