If you have been following trends on TikTok, you have probably heard the words "demure," "mindful," and "cutesy" appearing frequently on fashion and beauty accounts. For us, the demure trend is not just limited to personal style—it can also apply to your home and garden. Check out our advice below to create an enchanting, demure garden with California native plants.
What Is a Demure Garden, and What Does It Look Like?
A demure garden exudes both charm and tranquility, which can be achieved with a diverse array of California native plants and other thoughtful design elements. We think of it as a personal oasis where you can live out your Disney Princess dreams, surrounded by fragrant blooms, chirping baby birds, and graceful butterflies in a serene and private outdoor setting.
Native plants have adapted over generations to serve as harmonious habitats for local wildlife, and when chosen carefully and placed appropriately, they also inspire a more gentle relationship with nature. Compared to non-native species, they are better-adapted to the local climate, require less supplemental water, and need far less intensive tending, allowing you and your garden to coexist in peace.
A soothing, mutually beneficial relationship between people and their surroundings is always a central goal for our landscape design projects, but it is especially important when designing a demure garden. By supporting local wildlife with your plant choices, you are also able to help reap the benefits that local plants and animals provide in return, such as cooler summer afternoons in the shade, fewer irritating pests, better and more abundant yields in gardens with fruit and vegetables.
What California Native Plants Work Best in a Demure Garden?
Because your garden's climate and growing conditions will inform which plants are most likely to thrive, there are thousands of possibilities for creating a demure garden with California native plants.
Below, we have recommended several plants that grow widely around California in many different geographies and climates that can help enhance the demure and enchanting vibes of your garden. While this list is not collectively exhaustive by any means, it is meant to help inspire your planning and spark your imagination for what might be possible for your own personal oasis.
Our favorite options include:
1. California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.)
California Lilac is a show-stopper in any garden, where it flaunts its lush, evergreen foliage and clusters of vibrant, eye-catching blue-violet flowers that bloom in the spring. Between this rich color and the local butterflies and caterpillars that it supports, a California Lilac is captivating choice along borders or in defined focal points. Opt for smaller varieties like 'Ray Hartman', which can be shaped into a tree form, or lower-lying 'Concha' and 'Yankee Point' for a delicate, charming aesthetic.
2. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
The state flower of California, the California Poppy, is an annual wildflower adds a touch of golden springtime energy to your garden. These low-growing perennials spread effortlessly, allowing them to create a beautiful, naturalistic effect with their bright orange blossoms. They are perfect for adding an extra splash of color to your garden beds, especially when planted alongside other local, seasonal wildflowers.
3. Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
Lupines offer striking vertical flowers in hues ranging from purple to blue and even white. These annuals are excellent for adding height, color, and structure to your garden. Their palmate leaves also provide a lovely backdrop for other plants. Best of all, Lupines are also great for attracting friendly bees, birds, and butterflies.
4. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.)
With its delicate white and pale pink clusters of flowers, Manzanita is perfect for adding a unique texture to your garden. Its evergreen foliage contrasts beautifully with its smooth, red-toned bark. With many varieties adapted to specific areas around the state, it can be used as a ground cover (e.g. 'Emerald Carpet') or as a specimen plant (e.g. 'Howard McMinn').
5. California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)
California Buckwheat is a versatile, attractive shrub/perennial herb that offers clusters of small white to pink flowers that attract butterflies and bees. Its mounding habit and grey-green leaves create a lovely contrast with other plants. It is an ideal plant for filling in garden beds or slopes. Buckwheat also creates a dynamic, seasonal feeling in the garden, as you can watch its flowers dry in late summer and fall into an inviting rust tone.
6. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a pollinator favorite and staple of California native gardens. It is hardy perennial with feathery, fern-like foliage and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers, which come in a variety of colors including white, yellow, pink, and red. It is a great plant for creating a soft, meadow-like feel in your garden, and it pairs beautifully with numerous other native perennials.
7. Sage (Salvia spp.)
Native sages are a fantastic addition to a demure garden, offering robustly fragrant foliage and spiked whorls of blue, purple, or red flowers. Varieties like Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) and Black Sage (Salvia mellifera) provide a delightful scent and long-blooming flowers. Native salvias are consistently known to attract hummingbirds.
8. Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Penstemons, also known as beardtongues, are popular for their tubular flowers that come in many varieties and colors, including red, lavender, and purple. Their sturdy, upright stems make them excellent for adding vertical interest to your garden beds. Showy Penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis) and Foothill Penstemon 'Margarita BOP' (Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP') are two of our profusely blooming favorites.
9. Bush Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus)
Bush Monkey Flower, or Sticky Monkey Flower, features bright orange-yellow blooms that add a cheerful touch to any garden. Its blooms and glossy foliage are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, making it a lively addition to your plant palette. Other varieties of Monkey Flower come in a range of colors, including red, pink, orange, and white.
10. Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
For a touch of lush greenery in a shady area of the garden, consider Western Sword Fern. Its delicate, feathery fronds deliver a soft, textured element to the garden. Use it as a ground cover or plant under shade trees to create a serene and naturalistic look.
What Outdoor Furniture and Decor Is Best for a Demure Garden?
To complement your enchanting, demure garden, choose outdoor furniture that allows the natural beauty of your space to shine and accessories with feminine and cutesy flair:
1. Wooden Furniture
Opt for rustic wooden benches, Adirondack chairs, and teak dining sets. Their natural textures and colors enhance the garden's serene atmosphere and help evoke its woodland charm.
2. Wrought Iron Accents
Consider wrought iron lanterns, trellises, and accent tables or plant stands to add a touch of vintage charm and provide structural interest.
3. Stone or Gravel Pathways
Create meandering paths with locally sourced natural stone or gravel. This textured, sustainable material guides visitors through your garden while maintaining an organic feel that feels seamlessly integrated with your wider surroundings.
4. Water Feature
A small water feature made from natural material or in a naturalistic color adds tranquility and attracts wildlife. Choose from among many options such as a birdbath, bubbling rock, fountain, or pond.
5. Sound Elements
Sound is an underrated element of the garden, but it can create a well-rounded, immersive sensory experience that helps your garden feel like a true escape from the rest of the world. In addition to the sounds of gravel and flowing water, you can create a unique sonic profile for your garden by installing shade trees with rustling leaves, a bird house, wind chimes, or even a sound system that can play your favorite serene music when you step outside.
What Activities and Spaces Should I Have in a Demure Garden?
As a space primarily focused on relaxation, you can create purposeful areas of the garden that are designed for effortless enjoyment and peace:
1. Outdoor Reading Nook
Set up a cozy corner or built-in niched bench against a wall with comfortable cushions and a small side table for your favorite books.
2. Garden Tea Party Table
What is more demure and cutesy than a tea party? Set up a small dining table and chairs in a partially shaded area for an afternoon tea, where you can be surrounded by the soothing colors and scents of your native plants.
3. Birdwatching Vignette
Whether you are inside or outside, viewing birds visiting the garden is a wonderful way to create a moment of peace in your day. Place a birdbath in a cool, shaded spot next to your bird-friendly plants to attract local species and enjoy their visits from your garden. Set it up in a place that is easy to view from farther away, so that you do not have to worry about startling your feathered friends.
Final Advice on Creating a Demure Garden with California Native Plants
By incorporating California native plants and thoughtful decor, you can create a demure and enchanting garden that supports relaxation and appreciation of the natural beauty that surrounds you. The garden will not only be a haven for you, but also a sanctuary for local wildlife, enhancing the overall charm of your home and outdoor space.
About Us
Besanti Natives is a native landscape design company in Los Angeles specializing in bespoke outdoor spaces inspired by the natural wonders of the Golden State. Our Certified California Native Plant Landscapers offer a refreshing, holistic approach to your landscape to help you cultivate more meaningful connections to nature, your loved ones, and yourself.
Our team is dedicated to preserving the unique character of each property while providing modern solutions to enhance functionality and beauty. For more information about our services or to schedule a consultation, visit our online booking page.
