Natives and other wildlife-supporting plants. Species native to your region typically need little care once established and offer food sources and nesting materials for native animals and insects. You may choose not to go with all natives, but including a few, such as showy wild liliac (Ceanothus spp., zones 8 to 10), can give a natural look to your garden. Fill in with other wildlife-supporting plants, such as nectar-rich salvias and penstemons.
Two Cautions: 1 - It self-seeds freely and is spread in bird droppings, so you will have to yank up the seedlings. 2 - It's Spanish name is "Mal de Ojo" (Bad Eye) ... If you have been handling it and rub your eyes or even touch the skin near your eyes the teensy little hairs from the will make you miserable. It's the worst case of pink-eye ever! Wear gloves when you are working with the plants, AND wash your hands thoroughly after you are finished.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Planting notes. The requirements of this attractive perennial are few. It needs to be planted in well-drained soil in full sun and watered every other week in summer and once a month in winter (in the absence of rain) for the best appearance. Globe mallow packs a colorful punch in the landscape and requires very little maintenance. Simply shear it back to 1 foot once it has finished flowering, to stimulate another flush of flowering.
How to use it. The delicate-looking flowers of globe mallow make it a great plant to add to a perennial bed, creating a cottage garden look. Other landscape uses for globe mallow include as a foundation plant, around a swimming pool and even in a container. Pair it with other native desert perennials, such as blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), goodding's verbena (Glandularia gooddingii) and parry's penstemon (Penstemon parryi).
The surprise that globe mallow hides is that you can't tell what color the flowers will be on a particular plant until it blooms. The majority of globe mallow plants have orange flowers, but there are also plants that produce red, rose, pink or white flowers. If you don't like surprises in regard to flower color, there are a few ways to know what color flower a particular globe mallow plant will produce. Buy plants from the nursery when they are flowering. Take a cutting from a globe mallow that has the flower color you want. If you like red flowers, there is a reliable red variety of globe mallow called 'Louis Hamilton'.
Botanical name: Sphaeralcea ambigua Common name: Globe mallow Origin: Native to arid regions of the American Southwest USDA zones: 6 to 9 (find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 3 feet tall and wide Tolerances: Drought tolerant but does best with supplemental watering; handles reflected heat Seasonal interest: Orange, red, rose, pink or white flowers appear in spring and intermittently throughout the year. When to plant: Plant seeds or container plants in spring or fall.
Finish with a carpet of tiny daisies. Latin American Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Profusion’). Reminiscent of the daisies of many people’s childhoods, this rapidly spreading ground cover is much tougher than it looks. Allow it to scramble over boulders, dangle over the edge of containers or create a flowering carpet through which taller perennials and grasses can grow. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is drought tolerant once established. In winter it will die to the ground, but it will quickly reemerge stronger than ever in spring. USDA zones: 5 to 8 Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall.
Add a bold middle tier. Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum 'Herbstfreude'). This may be considered an old-fashioned perennial, but there is nothing old-fashioned about its appeal. A butterfly magnet with fascinating succulent foliage in a soft shade of green and abundant clusters of pink flowers in late summer, this plant earns its place in any hot spot that features well-draining or sandy soil. To keep it compact, cut the emerging foliage down by half when it reaches 8 inches tall. It will quickly regrow to form a tight dome with an abundance of pink flowers but will be less susceptible to collapse in the middle. USDA zones: 3 to 10 Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall.
How to Get the Look 1. Start with the tallest plant. Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima). This grass not only likes hot, dry conditions, it positively revels in them — some might say too much (see the previous note about invasiveness). Yet its tendency to self-seed can be a good thing in a gravel garden, where opportunistic seedlings can be controlled and add to the informality of the design. Being evergreen, this drought-tolerant grass will provide structure to the garden year-round. USDA zones: 6 to 10 (find your zone; avoid planting it where it's considered invasive) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 to 36 inches tall and wide When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall.
Meet the stars. This easy-care design is all about layering. A soft ornamental grass provides height and establishes the framework for the combination. The wispy seed heads add to its unabashedly romantic appeal. This photo features Mexican feather grass, but alternatives include pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) or the herbaceous ‘Karley Rose’ fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale ‘Karley Rose’), a fountain grass cultivar that sets seed sparingly and is not considered invasive. (Mexican feather grass can be invasive in some areas; consult your local cooperative extension or county extension office before planting.) Such fine texture needs something solid to balance it, and the bold, succulent foliage and flowers of sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’) do this perfectly. This mounding perennial is covered with flat clusters of pink flowers all summer, their hue enhancing the delicate pink tones of the tan grass. To complete the picture, a daisy-studded carpet adds just the right amount of sparkle. The tiny white and pink flowers of the Latin American fleabane daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus ‘Profusion’) bloom steadily all summer long, highlighting the pretty monochr...
How to use it. The informal growth habit and ability to spread make Latin America fleabane an excellent choice for cottage-style gardens or those with a natural theme. Plant it among large boulders or rocks where the flowers are shown to great effect by the trailing growth. Add it in a raised bed where it can cascade over the wall, or use as a filler plant in containers.
Sarah Naybour Design SaveEmail Distinguishing traits. Narrow dark green leaves grow along slender stems that spread outward, forming a slightly mounded shape. This member of the aster family gradually grows to 3 feet wide, but it can be maintained at a smaller size. In areas with abundant moisture, it will self-seed and spread. Evergreen in zones 9 and above, it will die back to the ground in colder climates but will grow back quickly in spring. Periodically cut it to the ground to keep it neat and attractive.
Botanical name: Erigeron karvinskianus Common names: Latin American fleabane, Mexican daisy, Santa Barbara daisy Origin: Native to Mexico and Central America Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6; find your zone) Water requirement: Low once established Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade; must have filtered shade in low-desert zones Mature size: 8 inches tall and 1 foot to 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant; deer-resistant; attracts bees and butterflies Seasonal interest: Small white and pink daisies in spring, summer and fall When to plant: Spring or fall
Plant wildflower seeds now for flowers next spring. Colorful displays of wildflowers are a welcome sign of spring. California poppies, gaillardia, lupine and red flax are just a few types of wildflowers that you can plant seeds for now to ensure beautiful blooms in spring. Before sowing seeds, deeply water the planting area to a depth of 1 foot. This will help ensure even moisture, which seeds need to germinate. Spread the seeds and lightly rake them into the top inch of soil. Water daily to keep the soil moist (not soggy) until the seeds germinate. Then back off watering to every three or four days. Shown: Red flax (Linum grandiflorum)
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Mid- to High Deserts (3,000 to 6,000 Feet) Freshen up flowering perennials such as coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and rudbeckia by deadheading spent flowers, which will promote another flush of bloom in September before they begin to set seed. Shown: Purple coneflower
Enjoy the blooms of summer-flowering shrubs. With the extra humidity that August brings, flowering shrubs like Texas ranger (Leucophyllum spp) respond by producing masses of purple flowers. There are many different species of Texas ranger, with flower colors ranging from white and pink all the way to deep purple. Blooms appear off and on spring through fall. Shown: 'Green Cloud' Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens 'Green Cloud')
Fertilize container plants. Are your container plants looking tired? To look their best, plants need to be fertilized when grown in containers. Use a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer, which lasts about three months, or apply a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. You will be rewarded with bigger plants and more blooms.
The Find Native Plants website. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop with links to local nurseries, seed sources and books on native plants and their natural environments, then this site is for you. It’s generated by the writers at the website Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens (of which I am a part).
Biota of North America Program. For the more advanced gardener who knows Latin plant names (quite handy when so many plants have the same common name), BONAP lets you search for plant distribution by state and county maps. It also has maps by density gradient, soil type and climate. You can also search for plant maps via the USDA database.
Pollinator Partnership. The sponsor of the annual National Pollinator Week, this organization lets you enter your zip code and takes you to handy printable PDF guides you can take to a nursery. The more we ask nurseries for native plants, the more they’ll carry them. Pictured: Pasque flower, native to the central and northern U.S. plains from Wisconsin, south to Nebraska and west, all the way up and down the Rocky Mountains.
Edger Landscape Design SaveEmail Along with plants in the aster family, many native species of buckwheat (Eriogonum spp), sage (like Cleveland sage, Salvia clevelandii, shown), California lilac (Ceanothus spp) and manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp) are prized by native bees in California. The U.C. Berkeley Urban Bee Lab website has a list of the best bee plants for California, including native and nonnative plant species, organized by spring and summer. Gordon Frankie of UC Berkeley published an exciting new book this month, California Bees and Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists, which describes in detail the plants that California native bees find most irresistible.
2. Native plants for native bees. The UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab has been studying native bees and their food choices over the past decade. Through The Urban California Native Bee Survey, the researchers discovered that local native bees prefer local native plants over nonnative ones four to one. This isn’t surprising when you think about the millennia that insects and plants have been evolving together. Native bees need both nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein) to feed themselves and their young. Some plants provide one or the other, while plants in the aster family, such as Pacific aster (Symphyotrichum chilense), provide both pollen and nectar. In my opinion, the aster family is the single most important family of plants for insects, not only for the one-two punch of pollen and nectar but also because the central “disk” of each flower is actually many flowers. Here you can see the many flowers on the central disk of a seaside daisy (Erigeron glaucus). This disk provides pollinators with a high concentration of food on a single landing pad.
Diversity with blocks of color. This large block of orange California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) with another large block of deep blue ceanothus will attract native bees better than a few of each plant placed here and there. The Xerces Society promotes planting a diversity of flowering plants for pollinators in large blocks of color. Like a flashing neon light, diverse plants in blocks point all the pollinators to the party. The Xerces Society says to provide: Several different plant species flowering at the same time A combination of flowering annuals and perennials Flowers of different sizes, shapes and colors Blocks of color: patches of about 3½ feet by 3½ feet of a single plant species and flower color Year-round food: flowering plants in all growing seasons
Where do I find plants native to my region? First, see if your local university extension or botanic garden has lists of plants native to your region. There are also searchable databases from organizations such as the Pollinator Partnership and the Xerces Society. An Internet search also should reveal if there are any specialty native plant nurseries near you. Such businesses will have superior expertise in native plants, native plant garden design and the local environment to best match plants to your landscape. Local preserves and wild parks can also provide native planting inspiration.
Choose wild ginger (Asarum canadense) if you prefer thicker leaves and a lower habit. Plus, deer don’t like it, and pipevine swallowtails use it as a host plant. With a height of just 6 to 12 inches, and preferring a medium soil in shade, it is pretty easy to care for. It’s native from Minnesota to Mississippi and east. You might also consider wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) as an attractive and quick-spreading ground cover. It blooms anywhere from late spring to early summer and loves dry soil in full shade. Shown: Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
This large shrub should be pruned back in late winter or early spring, when it is dormant, to the desired shape. Fertilize in spring, using an all-purpose fertilizer. There are a number of varieties of Vitex agnus-castus. Here are several favorites that you may want to try: ‘Alba’ and ‘Silver Spire’ have white flowers. Delta Blues features a compact growth habit. V. a. latifolia is the most cold-tolerant. ‘Lecompte’ has long blue flowering plumes. ‘Lilac Queen’ features a large growth habit. ‘Rosea’ and ‘Salinas Pink’ have large pink flowers. ‘Shoal Creek’ has large blue-violet flowers.
Train chaste tree as a small tree to anchor a bare corner, or surround it in a planting island with other drought-tolerant plants, such as bush morning glory (Convolvulus cneorum), gaura (Gaura lindheimeri), tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) and South American mock vervain (Glandularia pulchella).
How to use it. This Mediterranean native’s drought tolerance, large growing range and ability to be trained into a large shrub or small tree make it a versatile asset in the landscape. Allow it to grow into a large shrub. It can be used as a colorful backdrop during the warm season with smaller shrubs and perennials planted in front. Create a large, informal hedge to mark property boundaries or to act as a living wall for a courtyard or patio area.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Tiny purple flowers appear in warm temperatures. The most intense bloom period occurs during the height of summer, although reblooming can occur in early fall in warmer regions. The fragrant blooms are arranged along 12-inch-long plumes and attract butterflies. The flower color can vary from white to a light violet shade all the way to dark purple. Warm summer temperatures increase the amount of flowers produced.
Distinguishing traits. The dark green aromatic leaves are palmate, meaning they are made up of individual leaflets. They’re 6 inches long and shaped like the palm of a hand. Chaste trees are deciduous and can be grown as large shrubs or trained into small multitrunk trees. Some people object to its leafless winter appearance, so it’s best to have other plants nearby that will take center stage during that time. It can die back to the ground during severe winters in zones 6 and 7 but will grow back quickly in spring. Chaste tree has been grown in Zone 5 gardens, where it is used as a large perennial and dies back in winter, but it is not a reliable survivor of severe cold there.
Botanical name: Vitex agnus-castus Common names: Chaste tree, lilac chastetree, monk’s pepper Origin: Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 6; find your zone) Water requirement: Low to moderate; water deeply in spring, summer and early fall Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 10 to 20 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant; attracts butterflies; has fragrant flowers and foliage; deer-resistant Seasonal interest: Flowers can appear from late spring through early fall When to plant: Spring or fall
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture SaveEmail Selection of stately grasses and companions. Appropriately chosen for this California wine country hillside setting, the plant combination blends with the natural setting and the soft-toned stonework. Together the textures, varying heights and muted plant colors in shades of gold, yellow, purple, gray and green create a feeling of harmony and a serene mood. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, zones 5 to 9) has vertical feathery plumes that emerge above the green foliage with a rosy-colored cast that matures to a golden wheat tone in the fall. It can reach 36 to 48 inches tall and 24 inches wide (60 to 80 inches tall when flowering) and is ideal for narrow areas. Plant it in full sun to partial shade. See how to grow feather reed grass ‘Canyon Prince’ wild rye grass (Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’, zones 8 to 10) is a California native that boasts silver-blue foliage and a bold, upright and arching leaf texture. Yellow to wheat-colored flowers provide interest in summer to fall. It reaches 24 to 36 inches tall (30 to 60 inches tall when flowering) and can grow in full sun to light s...
Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC SaveEmail Cool combo in shades of purple and blue. Repeating plants of similar colors, as in this grouping in a Massachusetts garden, offers a bit of calmness even if there is a variety of strong and opposite shapes. The grouping is repeated on the other side of the pathway and throughout the garden, visually connecting the garden spaces and mimicking plant habits in nature. ‘Globemaster’ ornamental onion (Allium ‘Globemaster’, zones 5 to 8), with its striking sphere-shaped flower head and small purple florets, rises above with its stalks that can grow 3 to 4 feet tall. See how to grow ornamental onion ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’, zones 3 to 8) boasts lavender-blue aromatic flowers, offering a soft feathery contrast. It grows to about 30 inches tall and 24 inches wide. See how to grow catmint ‘Mainacht’ sage (Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’, zones 4 to 9) has numerous dense, upright flower spikes with deep violet-blue flowers; it grows 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide.
Eye-catching succulents and companion plants on a pebble pathway. This plant combination not only provides a medley of complementary leaf colors and textures, but the cascading succulents also soften the border and nicely contrast the dark Mexican pebbles. ‘Angelina’ stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’, zones 3 to 11) shines with its chartreuse needle-like fine foliage. It grows quickly as a dense succulent ground cover, reaching 3 to 4 inches tall with a wide spread. Its succulent companions include a gray echeveria and other sedum varieties. ‘White Swan’ coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’, zones 5 to 9) adds height to the mix, growing 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide, and flowers from summer to fall. ‘Seascape’ mat rush (Lomandra confertifolia ‘Seascape’, zones 8 to 11) adds softness with its fine grass-like texture and compact habit, growing 18 to 24 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches wide.
Sea thrift (Armeria maritima, zones 4 to 8) is a small mounding plant that bears striking rounded clusters of pink flowers that dance upon 1-foot-tall erect stems. In this composition they echo the soft pink of the flagstone pathway. Silver carpet (Dymondia margaretae, zones 9 to 11) is a tough low-growing ground cover with grayish-green foliage and small yellow flowers. It’s a great choice for planting between pavers, as shown here, and in open areas. It forms a dense mat cover that can also take foot traffic. Forthnight lily (Dietes iridioides, zones 8 to 11) adds a vertical element and is topped with white iris-like flowers. Lavender (Lavandula sp., zones 5 to 9), with grayish-green foliage, proves an abundance of fragrant purple flower spikes. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, depending on the species. See how to grow lavender
larichelson I have 1 large crape myrtle on my back deck and 5 along my driveway. They LITTER like mad. I have to prune constantly, they grow like weeds in NC / SC and they drop leaves, then flower petals, branches, whatever all the time. I have to blow the litter off my deck weekly. They are pretty, easy in a yard, but I do not recommend for a deck or patio. Like May 3, 2016 at 5:11PM wooflikeabear I don't know why mountain laurel never makes these lists. Lovely foliage, gorgeous flowers and stays evergreen through the winters in my zone (6) and nearly zero maintenance (provided you don't overcrowd it and let it get fungal spots). Like June 12, 2016 at 9:20AM Kathleen Scott Ginkos bonsai nicely. I have a potted one that is 15 years old. Did most of the pruning the first 5 years and hardly had to do it since. The most work it creates is repotting it every 2 years. The root ball has to be trimmed and then repotted or it starts to look 'unhappy' and need daily watering, no matter what.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail This pot contains ‘Blue Elf’ aloe, golden barrel cactus, royal dewflower (Drosanthemum speciosum) and elephant bush. It is a myth that cactuses need no water. Cactuses, like other succulents, store water inside their leaves or stems. Spring and summer are the main growing seasons, when water should be applied. With the arrival of fall, the frequency of watering should be slowly reduced. Watering in winter is usually not needed unless rainfall is absent. More: 3 Steps to Creating Quick, Easy and Colorful Succulent Containers
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Thornless totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) has an unusual melted-candle appearance. Watering. The frequency of watering depends on several variables, including the season, temperature, humidity, exposure and container size. The soil should be almost completely dry before you water. An easy way to determine when it’s time to water is by sticking your finger all the way into the soil. The soil should be barely moist, almost dry, before you water it again. Water until it runs out the bottom through the drainage hole. When in doubt, water less, not more. Succulents are often killed by overwatering. Watch for wrinkling or shriveling in spring or summer, which is a sign that the cactus needs more water.
Resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera) fills containers that mimic their curved shape. Fertilizing. When grown in containers, succulents need a monthly application during the growing season, in spring and summer, of a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Fish emulsion can also be used as a fertilizer. Whichever fertilizer you choose, it’s important to use it at only half the recommended strength.
Alternatively, you can group several types of succulents, creating pleasing color and texture contrasts. In this photo, Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus adds height behind the globular golden barrel cactus and the spiky rosette of Agave macroacantha. When selecting a mix of plants, make sure that they have the same water requirements.
Succulents of the same species can be planted singly or in groups of three, creating a simple yet dramatic statement. A prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) provides a simple yet elegant design element in this sunny spot that receives hot reflected heat.
Plant and Care for Your Containers Planting. Planting succulents with thorns, especially cactuses, should be approached with caution. There are several ways, using everyday items from around the home, to avoid getting stabbed. Gardening gloves are the first line of defense, but they aren’t enough to provide full protection. For smaller, globe-shaped cactuses such as golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), shown here, an old towel that has been folded into four layers can be used to handle the cactus while planting. Tall columnar cacti, like Mexican fence post (Pacycereus marginatus) as well as prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) can be handled using small sections of carpet or several layers of newspaper. A good pair of tongs can also be helpful for planting small cactuses.
A trio of Dasylirion wheeleri adds a contemporary look to this Phoenix front yard. In addition to agave, cactuses and euphorbias, succulents like ‘Blue Elf’ aloe (Aloe ‘Blue Elf’), common sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri), elephant bush (Portulacaria afra), Mexican fence post (Pachycereus marginatus) and slipper plant (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) flourish in containers in hot, full sun.
Potted twin flower agaves (Agave geminiflora) flank an entry here. This agave species is noted for its finely textured leaves and ability to thrive in full sun as well as in shady locations.
‘Compacta’ Queen Victoria agave plants fill a wide and shallow container.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Agaves, with their attractive spiky rosette shapes, add drama to hot, sunny corners. Several species are suitable for full-sun exposures, including Parry’s agave (Agave parryi) and Agave ocahui as well as the large American century plant (Agave americana), shown here, and the petite Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae ‘Compacta’). The sharp tips of agave can be snipped off with a pair of hand pruners to help avoid getting inadvertently stabbed
Candelilla, a species of euphorbia, is planted in a rusted metal raised bed, and is thriving in full sun and reflected heat.
Euphorbia is a large genus of plants, many of which are sun-loving succulents that come in a variety of colors and shapes. Some are tall, columnar succulents, while others are low-growing ground covers; some euphorbias have spines and others do not. The brilliant orange stems of ‘Sticks on Fire’ milk bush (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’) shine in this modern container. All euphorbias have a milky sap that can be irritating or even poisonous, so use them with care around children and pets, and be sure to wear gloves when pruning.
Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting SaveEmail Torch cactus (a Trichocereus hybrid) waits until summer to produce large, colorful flowers.
Pick Your Plants Check each succulent’s exposure requirement, making sure it is suitable for full sun. This information can be found on the plant label, or you can ask your local nursery professional. Cactuses, like this prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), relish the sun’s rays, perhaps more than any other type of succulent. They add a distinct element to garden spaces with their unusual fleshy stems shaped like globes, paddles and tall columns. Because most cactuses have thorns, take care to locate them in areas where passersby won’t get accidentally pricked.
Use the Right Soil While cactuses and other succulents are fairly low-maintenance, they all must have extremely well-drained soil or they will rot. Commercial mixes formulated for cactuses and succulents aren’t always the best choice for your pots. They can stay moist for too long, and water has a hard time penetrating the soil after it has dried out to due the high amounts of peat it contains. The best soil mix for your succulents is one you create yourself. There are a variety of formulas, but a good basic succulent soil can be made by mixing equal parts sand, potting soil and perlite.
Get the Container Right Whether you choose a brightly colored pot or one with an unusual texture or shape, make sure it has holes for drainage. Clay, glazed and plastic containers are all suitable for growing succulents. The ceramic container seen here holds resin spurge (Euphorbia resinifera). Contrary to most container gardening suggestions, avoid an oversized container, as the soil will take longer to dry out, increasing the chances that the roots will rot. A good guideline is to have about 2 to 4 inches between the succulent and the edge of the container. For columnar cactuses, the space between the cactus and the edge of the pot should be half the length of the cactus. It’s important to note that, like many container plants, succulents can outgrow their pots, at which time they can be repotted into larger containers or planted in a sunny spot in the garden.
Study the Location Deciding where to locate your sun- and heat-loving container garden starts with what direction the proposed area faces. Northern exposures are generally too shady, while areas that face west should be reserved for the toughest of succulents, including cactuses that can handle the tough reflected heat. South-facing exposures are ideal. Try to choose a spot that receives full sun for most of the day. Your sun-worshipping plants should be fine if your chosen area gets light shade for a couple of hours each day, and they might welcome a little relief from the sun’s intense rays. Here, containers filled with slipper plant (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) and trailing elephant bush (Portulacaria afra) create interest in front of a colorful wall.
Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa) Native to South Africa Attractive dark green leaves make natal plum, a small to medium shrub, a popular alternative to boxwood (Buxus spp.), which can struggle in intensely sunny exposures. White star-shaped flowers appear in spring, which are often described as having a fragrance similar to that of jasmine and orange blossoms. This shrub produces small dark red fruits, which are edible. Varieties of this South African native range in size from 1 foot tall all the way to 8 feet, making it easy to find one that is just right for a sunny area of any size. Frost damage does occur when temperatures dip below freezing. Caution: The sap of natal plum can irritate the skin, and it has thorns. Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: 1 foot to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, depending on the variety
‘New Gold’ Lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’) Native to South America Butterflies are attracted to this lantana species’ golden yellow flowers, which cover bright green foliage spring through fall. The low growth habit makes this shrub a great choice for adding color at lower heights in garden hot spots. Lantana’s leaves are aromatic and roughly textured. While this South American native is commonly grown in zones 9 to 11, its roots will survive winters down to Zone 8. Gardeners in more temperate zones can grow lantana as an annual in summer. Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) Native to South America Bougainvillea’s vibrant colors herald the arrival of spring, adding a dramatic statement to the landscape. Interestingly, the color comes from bracts that surround tiny cream flowers. Lush green foliage adds beauty wherever bougainvillea is planted and also hides thorns beneath. Bougainvillea relishes areas with full sun and reflected heat, and does best when irrigated deeply and allowed to dry out before being watered again. Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide
Yellow Bird-of-Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) Native to South America, primarily Argentina and Uruguay The finely textured foliage of this South American native adds a lacy element to the garden. Large yellow flowers with long red stamens create colorful interest in hot, sunny areas of the garden throughout summer. While several types of Caesalpinia are popular choices in warm regions, this particular species not only handles temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), but it can also survive areas that experience temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23.3 degrees Celsius). Caution: All parts of this shrub are toxic; it has naturalized in moist, humid climates in Central America. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (Zone 6) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) Native to the desert regions of Arizona and California as well as Baja and Sonora, Mexico This evergreen shrub is prized for its attractive evergreen foliage, rather than its flowers. Each leaf is covered in a waxy coating that helps it withstand hot temperatures and reflected heat. In addition, its leaves are arranged vertically, which helps them to avoid direct sun. Jojoba can be allowed to grow into its natural shape, but it can also handle being formally pruned. Extracts from the fruit of this shrub are used for a variety of cosmetics. Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide
Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) Native to the Chihuahuan Desert Commonly referred to as barometer bush, Texas ranger welcomes flushes of purple flowers at the onset of increased levels of humidity throughout the warm season, often occurring after periods of rain. The gray foliage is covered with tiny hairs that help to reflect the sun’s rays while giving it a velvety texture. ‘Green Cloud’ is a popular variety of Texas ranger in a darker shade of green. The beauty of this shrub is best appreciated when it is allowed to grow into its natural shape, rather than being pruned into formal shapes. Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Low to moderate Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia parvifolia) Native to the desert regions of Mexico, including Baja, Chihuahua and Sonora The papery white flowers of this Mexican native add a neutral color that enhances the impact of other colors in the landscape. Despite the delicate appearance of its flowers, this large shrub is anything but. Little-leaf cordia’s ability to handle the heat and sun, as well as periods of drought, makes it a popular choice for low-maintenance landscapes. Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full, reflected sun or light shade Mature size: 4 to 8 feet tall and 4 to10 feet wide
Chuparosa (Justicia californica) Native to the Sonoran Desert The landscape comes alive in winter when red trumpet-shaped flowers appear. Bright green heart-shaped foliage adds a visually cooling element to the landscape and may be absent during times of drought. Hummingbirds flock to the flowers, which are perfectly shaped for their long beaks and are a vital source of nectar when not much else is in bloom. Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisioides, formerly Cassia artemisioides) Native to the arid regions of Australia Fragrant yellow flowers cover finely textured gray-green leaves from late winter into early spring, adding color to the cool-season landscape. Here we see it contrasted by red ‘Valentine’ bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’) When not in flower, the foliage of this Australian native adds a soft shade of green that contrasts darker green plants. As a bonus, the foliage appears to turn silvery gray when blown by the wind. Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full, reflected sun to light shade Mature size: 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) Native to the desert Southwest and also grows in northern Mexico This Southwestern native’s airy foliage is transformed in spring by the arrival of pink flowers that resemble feather dusters. Not only do people enjoy the beauty of these flowers, but hummingbirds can’t get enough of them. While pink fairy duster is able to survive on natural rainfall, its appearance as well as the amount of flowers produced are improved when it is watered deeply once a month in spring and fall and twice a month in summer. Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun is best, but it can handle filtered shade for a few hours a day. Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide
“Paddle plant. Red and green. Gorgeous.”
Classic Nursery & Landscape Co. / Alan Burke, asla SaveEmail Groundcover. This gorgeous bed of creeping thyme may look delicate, but thyme is actually quite tough and can do just fine in low-traffic areas of the yard. Bonus: Thyme leaves are quite fragrant and smell beautiful when walked upon.
If you think that bricks are just boring grids of rectangles, think again. This photo demonstrates that a patio of bricks can include patterns in addition to the more commonly seen straight lines.
Lush plantings, the sound of splashing water and the warmth of dancing flames are always welcoming. Comfortable gathering spaces are perhaps the most low-maintenance and water-conserving options for replacing your lawn yet staying engaged outdoors.
Replace lawns with gathering places to enhance the way you live now. Not using your lawn for active games and play? Create a variety of outdoor spaces in your landscape that take advantage of both sun and shade, are quiet and intimate, or are large enough for the whole gang to enjoy.
Larger spaces can go lawn free with mixed plantings of perennials, shrubs, trees and grasses. This type of landscape renovation solves the monoculture problems that are inherent with lawns. Greater plant diversity welcomes birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and promotes a more normal ecosystem in general. Large lawns are visual deserts. Replacing them with more diverse plantings creates a feast for the eyes that creates interest and invites interaction with the landscape. Color, texture, form and fragrance — all of the garden elements that we prize — can transform a boring lawn into a beautiful outdoor space.
Choose a plant with multiseason interest: flowers, colorful foliage, winter texture. Some ground covers will tolerate a small amount of foot traffic, too. Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spp, zones 5 to 9), shown here, has a lush, grass-like look and is also evergreen. Additional choices — depending on your garden's growing conditions — might include periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus, zones 4 to 9), creeping thyme (Thymus praecox, zones 4 to 9) or snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum, zones 3 to 9).
The style of your no-lawn landscape should reflect the architecture of your home.
Japanese blood grass is perfect as a front of the border edging plant. It keeps a uniform size and shape, reaching about 18 inches tall.
Meadow gardens. Instead of planting in formal rows, lay out a single variety of perennials or grasses in groups of three or five plants, or create large swaths of one plant type to form a natural-looking meadow garden.
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