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Bush forming succulent for zone 6?

I want a succulent that would survive in my zone 6 yard. I don’t want one of those tiny little ground hugging ones. I just want a small bush with stems and all. Sort of like Aloe striatula. Any ideas?

Comments (14)

  • last year

    I have several sedums that are tall and bushy in my zone 5. they die to the ground in winter but grow back quickly. i have autumn joy, neon, and variegated one that i cant remember the name. the bees love them!

  • last year

    Those aren’t that tall. I’m talking like 3-4 feet tall

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Not many will develop into a 'bush' in zone 6. I'd look at yuccas, a few hardy agaves or dasylirion. There are also opuntias or prickly pear cactus native to pretty much every state in the lower 48.

    All will take a good few years of care before they approach anything like 3-4 feet, tho!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I'd look for plants native to places like Colorado. Dry habitats tend to produce succulents and you can get cold and dry in Colorado. Your best bet for something looking like Aloe Striatula is probably red hot pokers, Kniphofia, which come in yellow and some cultivars will do okay in Z6., some some winter protection.


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  • last year

    I have some! They looked sad this year though. They stayed to tiny!

  • last year

    Hopefully they grow

  • last year

    How set are you on having actual succulents (or cacti)? Kniphofia are just herbaceous perennials, not any kind of succulent, and are not even particularly drought tolerant nor fully evergreen in your zone..

  • last year

    I do want some taller cacti and some evergreen succulents that can survive in my more wet climate. I do have a great dry microclimate in my yard that is just a large rock filled bed.

  • last year

    In general, trying to grow plants that aren't well suited for your climate and soil is an exercise in frustration. Why not focus on plants native to you? They will thrive with little care and support wildlife.

  • last year

    I’m tired of our native fauna. I see the same stuff everyday here. I need to see something different.

  • last year

    Native plants are not always the be-all and end-all. Depending on the area , what is native in a specific location maybe very limiting. For example, native PNW plants would make for a very shaggy and boring garden - few are considered very garden worthy and some even resent cultivation.. And many gardeners relish the challenge and fun of growing something different and even zone pushing.

    Just remember to research your plant choices to see what growing conditions they prefer and to match that as best you can. And understand that the plants may respond with slower than anticipated growth and never reach their maximum size potential.

    btw, kniphofia are native to South Africa, not Colorado :-))

  • last year

    Ohio native plants would also make a pretty boring garden

  • last year

    Oh, I doubt Ohio natives, which have a high overlap with Maine natives would make for a boring garden. You just have to get beyond the most common ones and be creative about design. Frankly, I find most native gardens far more interesting than gardens full of the same old thing, like hostas and hydrangeas.

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  • last year

    These aren’t really visually appealing plants such as succulents. They’re fine, but not what I’m looking for.