California Mission Gardens Bloom with Flowers, Plants and Trees

From 1769 to 1823 Father Junipero Serra founded 21 missions that comprise California’s historic mission trail. The first mission was established in San Diego and the last in San Francisco. Gardens and orchards were an integral part of mission life. Historically, most of the land was planted with edible crops, citrus, avocado and olive trees, and vineyards. Some small vegetable or kitchen gardens remain, but many of the larger orchards and vineyards have given way to development. Many missions have profuse flower gardens, with an emphasis on growing California native or drought tolerant plants.

Kitchen Gardens

The San Gabriel Arcangel Mission in San Gabriel once had a prolific business of producing candles and soaps for all the missions in its garden, but today a kitchen garden serves the Claretian Fathers who administer the work at the mission. The San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission in Carmel was said to be the favorite of Father Serra. He is buried there. The grounds center around a massive, square courtyard where the gardens are planted with culinary and medicinal herbs. The centuries old citrus and olive trees still bear fruit. Roses and bougainvillea thrive as well.

Flowers and Vines

At Mission San Juan Capistrano the vegetable and native flower gardens grow under the green thumb of the Gardening Angels volunteer group. A small children’s garden is planted for school-age students to learn about agriculture. At Mission Santa Ines in Solvang, a historic grape arbor still produces grapes. The early garden at Mission La Purisima in Lompoc was the result of plants that were brought from the 20 other mission gardens. Currently, La Purisima is a state historic park that has been completely restored, with productive vegetable and flower gardens.

All that remains of the original Mission Santa Clara de Asis in Santa Clara is a garden wall on the campus of the University of Santa Clara. It is surrounded by hundreds of tree roses, a mission tradition. Although Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma is now a state park, a small portion of the original quadrangle exists, along with a vineyard. A large portion of the remaining, original vineyard is now Sebastiani Vineyards.

Orchards

Bougainvillea thrives on the 22 acres that comprise Mission San Diego de Alcal√° in San Diego. The garden contains hibiscus and lavender, succulents and citrus, avocado and olive trees that still produce fruit. At the San Luis Rey Mission in San Luis Rey, the oldest pepper tree in California still stands. A fruit orchard with citrus trees still produces fruit.

Mission Gardens

California missions offer visitors views of interesting plants, trees and flower gardens. Many low-maintenance and drought tolerant plants and flowers are in the gardens. A visit to these gardens can generate ideas for inclusion in the home garden.