The style of your garden should complement your house, and Eva Mendes's outdoor space is a masterclass. Rather than choosing clashing greenery, the actress plants out the area around her Spanish revival home with a beautiful Mediterranean-style garden.
We spotted the actress's garden idea in the background of a recent Instagram post, in which she walks out her front door down a brick path. The reddish color of her path reflects the terracotta tiles on her and her husband Ryan Gosling's roof.
To bolster the Mediterranean feeling of the home, Eva has planted out the garden with large succulents and bird of paradise. Yellow hibiscus (like these from Amazon) adds brilliance to the area next to the door. Overall, the bright planting and clever design make Eva's garden feel like stepping into a vacation right outside her front door.
So, how can anyone recreate this same sensibility in their own front yard? In addition to offering you a peek into Eva's yard, we spoke with design experts on why the Mediterranean garden is so popular, and how to emulate the look. I've also curated an edit of plants and products to help you recreate Eva's design.
Recreate Eva's Look at Home
Take inspiration from Eva's front yard and add a potted Bird of Paradise to your patio (weather permitting, of course!). These plants add an absolutely stunning pop of color to any outdoor space.
If you want to tap into the Mediterranean garden trend but you don't want to install new features, a terracotta planter is the perfect place to start. This hexagonal-shaped version adds just the right amount of contemporary flair to an outdoor space.
Getting started on your own succulent garden is easy with this generous pack of 20 plants. It lets you experiment with a variety of succulents, helping you discover which varieties you like best.
Eva Mendes's yard features a grouping of forest green adirondack chairs and this weather resistant folding one is the perfect option. These would be gorgeous arranged around a firepit.
This premium windmill palm tree is carefully grown and shipped by experienced nursery professionals to ensure top quality. Cold-hardy and adaptable, it thrives in USDA zones 7-11, making it a versatile choice for many climates.
Nothing says Spanish Revival/ Mediterranean style like an oversized urn. This statement piece deserves a place on any patio, where it looks stunning in the summer light. It will offer the hint of European charm you've been waiting for.
Creating a Mediterranean garden is popular because it brings beautiful character to the outside of the home that departs from the ordinary. Magdalena Gierasinska, Design Expert at Barker and Stonehouse, explains: 'Designing your garden to evoke your favourite holiday destination is a brilliant way to personalise your outdoor space and create a unique retreat.'
Though Eva's garden looks incredibly difficult to recreate, it's easy to get a similar look with low-maintenance Mediterranean plants that can even be grown indoors. Horticultural expert Dr. Susanne Lux advises: 'Pelargoniums and geraniums are low maintenance and perfect for sunny windowsills. Bloombux rhododendrons are hardy, pest-resistant, and visually stunning in containers. Wildflower cuttings bring biodiversity indoors with fresh wildflower bouquets and terracotta pots & vertical planters are great for compact spaces and can double as statement décor pieces. You can also add in Mediterranean touches like lavender, fig trees, and bougainvillea for rich scent and bold colour.'
You can also create a Mediterranean backyard design with the furniture pieces you select. Though plants are important, these pieces help to bring the look home. Magdalena recommends: 'For a Mediterranean vibe, colourful tiled coffee tables instantly bring warmth and character to the space, while lantern-style outdoor lighting adds a cosy, inviting glow as evening falls. If you’re inspired by tropical escapes, large wooden dining sets surrounded by lush, leafy plants create the perfect setting for relaxed alfresco feasts. Meanwhile, for a Moroccan-inspired garden, travertine side and coffee tables combined with bold textiles and low seating create an exotic, vibrant atmosphere. By blending signature elements like these, your garden becomes a passport to your favourite places, offering an everyday holiday feeling right at home.'
Planting your garden like the place you want to be is a beautiful way to transport yourself no matter where you live. From the Mediterranean to the tropics, the world is your oyster.
