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Chic California Garden Blends Cacti, Succulents and Mediterranean Plants

From: Chris Jacobson

Rough-hewn stepping stones wind through tawny gravel studded with sculptural boulders and plants in this elemental San Mateo, Calif. space. These arrangements are beautiful and efficient — the garden is so drought-tolerant that it doesn’t need watering at all.

Drought Resistant Yard

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Drought Resistant Yard With Boulders

This California property's large yard was broken up into distinct areas and landscaped with plants native to the Mediterranean climate. Gravel trades off with grasses, both dotted with succulents and cactus.

Gray Home and Succulent Garden

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Gray Home Exterior and Succulent Garden

The gray siding of the home looks dashing next to the garden's tan gravel and sprinkling of dark green plants.

Drought Tolerant Yard

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Drought Tolerant Yard and Stone Path

The Mediterranean climate inspired the planting choices of this California yard's drought-tolerant landscaping. Designers mixed swaths of grasses with light-colored gravel. Stepping stone paths connect the different areas.

Low Water Garden With Stone Path

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Low Water Garden With Stepping Stones

This drought-tolerant garden has a surprisingly lush feel thanks to its carefully-curated mix of succulents, cactus and plants native to a Mediterranean climate.

Low Water Garden

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Low Water Garden With Succulents

Light-colored gravel beautifully sets off the different greens of this low-water garden's succulents.

Succulent Garden

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Succulent Garden With Gravel

This California home's drought-tolerant garden—populated with native Mediterranean plants and succulents—is a beautiful foil to the backdrop of green trees.

Drought Tolerant Garden and Tree

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Drought Tolerant Garden With Tree

The native Mediterranean trees and other plants used in this California garden have a feeling of lushness but require little water.

Succulent Garden

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Succulent Garden With Gravel

Succulents and plants native to the Mediterranean climate, sized extra small to extra large, dot the landscape surrounding this home.

Drought Tolerant Garden

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Drought Tolerant Garden With Stone Path

This drought-tolerant California garden combines a lovely mix of succulents, cactus and Mediterranean native plants.

Gravel Garden and Path

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Gravel Garden Bed With Path

In addition to its succulents and cacti, this drought-resistant backyard is also a study in stone. Garden beds feel dynamic with their blend of gravel, boulders and flat stepping stones.

Succulent Garden and Boulders

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Succulent Garden With Boulders

The simplicity of this drought-tolerant garden calls attention to the sculptural beauty of its plants and stones.

Garden With Light Gravel

Photo: Caitlin Atkinson. From: Chris Jacobson

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Drought Resistant Garden With Gravel

In this California yard, a sparser, gravel-covered garden bed gives way to feathery ornamental grasses for a compelling, texturally-rich look.

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