Gardening Guides
Landscape Design
Winning Garden Combo: Golden Barrel Cactus and Other Succulents
Combine this cactus with succulents for a striking landscape with varied shapes and textures
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is arguably the most popular cactus species used in arid landscapes today, and it’s easy to see why. Its yellow coloring brightens up outdoor spaces throughout the year, and its globular shape adds a distinctive geometric element to any garden design.
Although it can stand on its own in the landscape, golden barrel cactus attracts even more attention when teamed with succulents of distinctively different shapes and sizes. Let’s take a look at five beautiful combinations to try.
Although it can stand on its own in the landscape, golden barrel cactus attracts even more attention when teamed with succulents of distinctively different shapes and sizes. Let’s take a look at five beautiful combinations to try.
2. Add textural contrast with spiky yucca. Create a stunning contrast of opposing textures by adding a spiky yucca alongside a cluster of golden barrel cactuses. This arrangement can be used to create dramatic interest in any bare corner in the landscape or next to a sunny entry.
Any species of yucca would work, including banana yucca (Yucca baccata, zones 5 to 11), Eve’s needle (Y. faxoniana, zones 5 to 11) and blue yucca (Y. rigida, zones 7 to 10).
Any species of yucca would work, including banana yucca (Yucca baccata, zones 5 to 11), Eve’s needle (Y. faxoniana, zones 5 to 11) and blue yucca (Y. rigida, zones 7 to 10).
3. Create a mini landscape in a container. Containers are great places to incorporate this globular cactus and other succulents in close proximity. Flank an entry with a pair of containers or use one or more to decorate a courtyard or patio.
Plant the golden barrel along with a columnar cactus, such as a young totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, Zone 9), and a small agave, like black-spined agave (Agave macroacantha, Zone 9), as shown here.
Succulents in Containers: The Ultimate Easy-Care Mini Garden
Plant the golden barrel along with a columnar cactus, such as a young totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, Zone 9), and a small agave, like black-spined agave (Agave macroacantha, Zone 9), as shown here.
Succulents in Containers: The Ultimate Easy-Care Mini Garden
4. Mix heights and shapes with ground covers. Succulent ground covers are a natural match for golden barrel cactus, as they bring attention to its height and rounded shape. Utilize this combination on slopes or along a walkway or driveway for a low-maintenance planting that will add welcome interest.
Blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens, zones 9 to 12) intermingles with a group of golden barrel cactuses in this garden. Other choices include elephant bush (Portulacaria afra, Zone 9) and ice plant (Delosperma cooperi, Zone 5).
Blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens, zones 9 to 12) intermingles with a group of golden barrel cactuses in this garden. Other choices include elephant bush (Portulacaria afra, Zone 9) and ice plant (Delosperma cooperi, Zone 5).
5. Add height with columnar cactuses. Use golden barrel cactus at the base of taller cactus species, like Mexican organpipe cactus (Stenocereus marginatus, Zone 9); the vertical disparity will attract attention. This plant grouping can be used to great effect against a wall or to anchor a corner in the landscape along with a boulder.
Columnar cactus species, like Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus, Zone 9), saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea, Zone 8) and totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, Zone 9), also make great pairings for golden barrel.
Columnar cactus species, like Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus repandus, Zone 9), saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea, Zone 8) and totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus, Zone 9), also make great pairings for golden barrel.
Golden barrel cactus with American century plant (Agave americana) and blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
Planting Notes
Golden barrel cactus. This versatile cactus is native to Mexico and thrives in full sun or light, filtered shade. Plant it in well-drained soil and water twice a month in summer and every six weeks in winter. Golden barrel cactus is hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) and will grow to 1 foot to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Succulents. There are many kinds of succulents. Some thrive in full sun, while others prefer shade; many love warm climates, but a number can be grown in cold regions as well. It’s important to note the USDA zone and recommended sun exposure of a succulent before you add it to your garden.
All succulents require well-drained soil, as they will not survive for long in soggy conditions. Succulents do need water. A general guideline is to water them deeply and then let the soil completely dry out before watering again.
More
See more great planting ideas
Winning Garden Combo: Agaves and Grasses
Planting Notes
Golden barrel cactus. This versatile cactus is native to Mexico and thrives in full sun or light, filtered shade. Plant it in well-drained soil and water twice a month in summer and every six weeks in winter. Golden barrel cactus is hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8) and will grow to 1 foot to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Succulents. There are many kinds of succulents. Some thrive in full sun, while others prefer shade; many love warm climates, but a number can be grown in cold regions as well. It’s important to note the USDA zone and recommended sun exposure of a succulent before you add it to your garden.
All succulents require well-drained soil, as they will not survive for long in soggy conditions. Succulents do need water. A general guideline is to water them deeply and then let the soil completely dry out before watering again.
More
See more great planting ideas
Winning Garden Combo: Agaves and Grasses
Other midsize agave species to try include twin-flowered agave (A. geminiflora, Zone 8) and black-spined agave (A. macroacantha, Zone 9).