Question for a friend

I was asked what low-maintenance, on a budget, Mediterranean type plants would enhance a Spanish style home in the area. I have no idea. Does anyone?

These hardy plants give a Mediterranean look...
1) Acuba japonica 'Picturata' or Acuba japonica 'Crotonifolia'. They are evergreen and lush. These look like the tropical crotons I grew up with in S. FL.
2) Either Yellow jessamine or Star jasmine, arbored, because vines are always part of a Mediterranean look to add shade. Also, scented plants are included in the garden. Akebia is a possibility too.
3) Aspidistra, or Cast Iron Plant for a shady foundation. I think they have some spotted and variegated varieties these days. These are evergreen too so the effect is year around.
4) Hostas, though not evergreen, give that look and add exotic flowers in late spring and summer.
5) Geraniums and begonias for spot color, pots and planters. Though not hardy, these can be taken in for winter, easily propagated and enjoyed in a sunny space or kept dry and cool in a daylight basement. Lots of new and interesting leaf patterns for both.
6) Brugmansias which can also be overwintered indoors.
7) Loropetalum chinense. One of the purple hybrids. It can be used as a shrub specimen or trained into a small tree form. I'm thinking a tree form would give that manicured look of a Mediterranean garden.
8) Pine, cypress and junipers are all native to the Mediterranean. Select versions hardy for this region.
The above are all budget friendly though more exotic hybrids will be higher priced than plain old versions. Your friend should consider using mostly evergreen landscape because it will look un-Mediterranean if the yard is bare in winter. Lots of bright summer annuals, such as impatiens and sunflowers will complete the look. The seed can be readily saved from both.
Laurel

Thank you, Laurel. I'm sure the information will be appreciated.

I would add eriobotrya japonica ( Japanese loquat) to MaypopLaurel's list of evergreens. My largest tree is only 4 years old and it fruited this year for the first time. The ripe fruit is golden and tasty - similar to a peach, and quite beautiful! They also grow rapidly here in central SC, and are cold hardy to zone 7a.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53834/

That actually grows in the med and I think it would grow for you.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53329/

You might not be warm enough for those but nothing says Mediterranean like those.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/78295/

Low maintenance except for fruit. Not sure if you consider fruits or nuts a bad thing??