To a garden and plant lover, nothing’s quite as pretty as Mendocino County in the morning. Fog rolls in, sun comes out and a landscape of flowers, trees, ocean and blue sky is revealed. The headlands and bluffs draped in wild flowers with a backdrop of the wild blue Pacific is majestic and spiritual.

It was these views, the small towns, mountains and valleys and, perhaps above all, the Mediterranean climate that attracted a multitude of plant fiends of all sorts including breeders, collectors, nurserymen, and people who just wanted a practically year-round garden, to congregate here. These people created a botanical garden.

The Mendocino Coast Range drew and inspired vintners to terrace the gently rounded hillsides, usually covered in grass and dotted with grand, spreading oaks that were themselves festooned in moss and lichens. Many wineries have tall, skinny Italian cypress along their drives reminiscent of wineries in Italy.

To enjoy gardens galore, take a trip down the coast from Fort Bragg through Caspar to the peninsular town of Mendocino.

Check out these other Mendocino County, California stories in this special issue. It is dedicated to the region that inspired the birth of DIG IT! Magazine 11 years ago.

Making a Botanical Garden

Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden

Digging Dog Nursery

True Myrtle, guest post by Kathryn Hall
**Photos by Mary Jasch