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 mingle 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, farther 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 worrying about the garden.

When I visited Capri, I thought I was knowledgeable about gardening, but there was so much I didn’t know. After all, I had gardened in the same area for most of my adult life. I didn’t know anything about returning nutrients to the soil, about the effects of extreme weather, or about the needs of plants I didn’t grow.

Then I moved to a different climate zone. At Lake Tahoe, I thought I could grow bushels of tomatoes, but I didn’t take into account the short, hot days and chilly summer nights.

My “soil” at Lake Tahoe was mostly compost several feet deep and a lot of crushed granite. Compost is the perfect balancing component in soil, but it needs soil to work. As I learned, Tahoe can experience surprise snowfalls in June or October. So much for my tomato crop.  My ‘Big Boy’ turned out to be ‘Puny Boy’. 

Mediterranean gardens can incorporate elements from other types of gardens, such as formal, habitat, cottage or tropical gardens. You can link diverse areas with stepping-stone paths or repeated colors.

In a Mediterranean climate,  tropical-looking plants may need protection from hot afternoon sun and drying winds, but several of these plants can survive our occasional frosty nights. Create microclimates in your garden by adding lattice dividers, pergolas, tall shrub walls and umbrellas for plants that need special care.

If you have recently moved to the Napa Valley from another climate zone, it makes sense to imitate landscapes here that appeal to you. Before you buy, be sure your purchase will flourish here. Read the labels and consult with nursery employees. The learning process can be expensive, time consuming and hard on the back if you don’t take the time to learn about your new habitat. You don’t want any ‘Puny Boys.’

Napa County Master Gardeners (http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu) answer gardening questions Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 4, Napa, 253-4221, or (877) 279-3065.