Creating a way of place has been a recurring backyard theme for years now, and it lends authenticity to any setting, particularly right here within the Southwest. For me, nothing does this higher than using succulents, each domestically native ones and people which can be well-adapted from far-off locations. This can be one of many few unifying backyard themes that rightfully extends throughout our Southwest area, from the California coast to South Texas. Certainly, succulents appear to be all over the place as of late!
Their water-thrifty nature is a powerful promoting level in a area with erratic precipitation, recurring droughts, and frequent scorching temperatures. Don’t have time to water in the present day? They’ll nonetheless be there tomorrow. Coping with gritty poor soil? Who cares! Occurring trip? No worries . . . they’re the last word in sturdy vegetation.If that isn’t sufficient to promote you, their spectacular variety of type and colour provides a sculptural aspect like no different class of plant, whether or not planted en masse within the floor or utilized in containers as focal factors in cooler areas. Selecting your favorites goes to be your greatest problem. Figuring out your situations is the primary consideration, as some tolerate scorching solar higher than others, and plenty of do finest in vivid shade. There may be countless information on-line that can assist you resolve.
Itemizing my very own favorites might simply surpass the 100 mark, so I’ll slim it method right down to only a handful of classes. All the next species will want:
Glorious drainage
Dry intervals between watering
Full to dappled solar, relying on the extremes of your personal situations. Most are hardy into Zone 8 or 9, however frost tolerance varies, so perform a little research to your space.
Tree houseleek
Aeonium spp. and cvs.
Zones: 9–11
Measurement: As much as 3 ft tall and a couple of ft vast, relying on the cultivar
Aeoniums are among the many largest rosette-leaved vegetation within the sedum household, originating primarily in North Africa and the Canary Islands. A. arboreum and different species are enticing sufficient on their very own, however chosen variations and hybrids now span a variety of colours and sizes. Just a few can have sturdy dinner plate–sized rosettes from minty inexperienced to just about black-wine in colour. Clustered evenly on sturdy stems as much as 3 ft tall, they complement another succulents with their excellent symmetry and flowerlike type. Though they’re glorious in solar on the West Coast, you’ll want to offer dappled mild in desert places like Tucson, Arizona. Some tolerate mild frost, however others won’t, so do your analysis and be ready to guard them in colder areas. New colourful hybrids labeled as × Semponium, had been created by crossing Aeonium with the robust genus Sempervivum. These new choices have added to the colour/measurement choice however exhibit little if any of their hardy Sempervivum heritage.
‘Arizonia Star’ Weber agave
Agave weberi ‘Arizona Star’
Zones: 8b–11
Measurement: As much as 5 ft tall and seven ft vast
Agaves are available in all sizes, from 3-inch minis to 8-foot giants. Some are formidably armed with tooth and spiny suggestions, and others are soft-leaved and gardener-friendly. A favourite of mine is ‘Arizona Star’ Weber agave. Permit enough house when planting as it may possibly attain 3 to six ft throughout in surprisingly quick order. The gold-edged clean leaves are luminous when backlighted, permitting the plant to face out as a sublime point of interest whether or not within the floor or elevated in a container.
Santa Rita prickly pear
Opuntia santa-rita
Zones: 7–11
Measurement: 4 ft tall and 5 ft vast
Prickly pears are structural icons of the Southwest, and I’ve dozens in my gardens, from the large (and fewer spiny) O. ficus-indica right down to some really miniature varieties. However the one which will get my consideration again and again in all seasons is the Santa Rita prickly pear. Native primarily to southern Arizona, it’s broadly planted resulting from its sturdy type and richly coloured pads in shades of blue-green to violet-purple. One of the best colour develops when grown in dry situations and through winter chill. This comes near a colour “not present in nature,” as they are saying, but right here it’s! Deal with with care although. It’s nicely armed with quick bristles referred to as glochids that detach simply and might lodge in pores and skin, gloves, and cloth. Plant this within the background or a less-frequented space to be on the secure aspect.
Hedgehog cacti
Echinopsis spp. and cvs.
Zones: 8b–11
Measurement: As much as 3 ft tall and vast, relying on the cultivar
These small to medium cacti vary from clustering barrel varieties to midsize columns. They’re straightforward to develop in morning solar or partial shade in desert areas and are additionally suited to well-drained containers in wetter climates. They make a sculptural point of interest or accent all 12 months, quietly rising in measurement. After a dry winter relaxation, their fuzzy buds seem, slowly enlarging till some heat day in April when hand-sized blooms all of the sudden burst open in unison for an excellent one-day engagement. Occasional blooms might seem all through the rising season, however most will final simply at some point, maybe two. Watch the buds carefully and plan a last-minute gathering to share the event with buddies.
Fencepost cactus
Pachycereus marginatus
Zones: 9–11
Measurement: 12 ft tall and three ft vast (over time)
The famed fencepost cactus hails from Mexico and desires little introduction. I embody this as a favourite as a result of it is likely one of the bigger succulents that contributes top and structural class with minimal spikiness. Clean vertical strains are uninterrupted by stops and begins like some columnar cacti, and its spines are tiny and don’t detach simply, clustered solely alongside the symmetrical ribs, which makes for simpler dealing with when vital. A greater point of interest or backdrop plant is difficult to search out, and slowly clustering specimens simply maintain getting higher with time.
Echeveria
Echeveria spp. and cvs.
Zones: 9–11
Measurement: As much as 12 inches tall and vast
The pastel rosettes of echeveria are the right complement to all of the above vegetation, coming in shades of waxy aqua-blue to rosy purple, wine purple, and mojito inexperienced. In scorching climates they could favor a bit of sunshine shade however in coastal areas can tolerate full solar. Relying in your situations, they could respect a bit extra moisture than different succulents, however good drainage remains to be important, and they’re going to tolerate dry durations with out criticism. In recent times many hybrids have been created with carefully associated genera. The variety is countless, so it’s finest to see them in individual and purchase those you want. These make colourful container combos and enliven rock gardens in delicate climates—there are few limits to artistic makes use of of those gorgeous vegetation.
Focus on this and another gardening matter in our Southwest gardening discussion board.Discover extra data on Southwest gardening right here.
Dan Johnson lives and gardens in Denver, Colorado, and in Tucson, Arizona. He’s an affiliate director of horticulture for the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Pictures: Dan Johnson
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