A recent trip down memory lane took me to my dream destination: the island of Capri. In my mind, I see roses rambling over ancient stone walls. Fragrant lemon blossoms, olive orchards and vegetable crops intermingle with grapevines as they climb up the fertile hills. The light is a photographer’s dream.

     Brilliant white homes nestle in deep green scrub foliage. The two communities—Capri and, further up the hill, Anacapri—offer panoramic views of nearby Sorrento and Mt. Vesuvius. A daily gentle breeze reveals an intensely blue sky mirrored by the azure water below.

     Winters on Capri are mild and wet and the summers are hot and dry. Plants are the Mediterranean type, mixed with a few tropicals in secluded niches. Halfway up to the top of the island, the Garden of Augustus is a pine-studded resting place for weary hikers and plant lovers. Many of the 850 plant species on the island can be found there, including ‘Iceberg’ roses and many other well-known rose varieties. Wildflowers abound on the island.

     If this description sounds familiar, it’s because Napa Valley enjoys the same type of climate (Sunset Climate Zone 14). We have the same kinds of flora that thrive on Capri. Only the brilliant blue sea is missing.

     The climate we share with Capri is called a Mediterranean climate. Only five other places on earth are blessed with these conditions.

     Typical Mediterranean-climate plants include olive trees, grapevines, roses, oleanders, lavender, citrus, Italian cypress, geraniums, bougainvillea, fruit and nut trees, rosemary and many other culinary herbs. Typical design components include crushed gravel, colorful tiles, large terra cotta pots, stone walls, benches and stone paths.

     A place for family and friends to share food, wine and conversation is a must for the Mediterranean garden. Forget that high-tech outdoor kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Rather, a large old kitchen table surrounded by mismatched chairs and a sleeping dog completes our relaxed Mediterranean scene.

      Most Mediterranean plants require minimal water. They may need regular watering until they are established, usually in a couple of years. But after that, many seem to take care of themselves. They need little fertilizer, and pests tend to ignore them. Their primary bloom occurs in spring and fall; summer is resting time, when growth and blooming slow, so you can vacation without wo