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A Brilliant and Low-Care Mediterranean Border

Plant Combinations, Spring Borders, Summer Borders, Fall Borders, Winter Borders

Garden ideas, Mediterranean garden, Desert garden, Water wise garden, Low maintenance garden, Cephalocereus senilis, Old Man Cactus, echinocactus grusonii, Barrel Cactus, euphorbia canariensis, ferrocactus pilosus, opuntia microdasys

Glowing in the last hours of the day, the small polka-dotted pads of Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ears) turn a golden color, transforming this water-wise border into a Mediterranean paradise. They contrast with the barrel-shaped Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) whose ribs resemble an accordion, expanding and contracting as the plant stores and uses water.

Barrel-shaped to columnar, Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus) features prominent ribs adorned with areoles sprouting bright red spines. Both barrel cacti have a strong presence in the garden.

Adding height and drama to the planting is the columnar cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) draped in a coat of long, white silky hairs. It is joined by one of the most striking and picturesque Mediterranean plants, Euphorbia canariensis (Canary Island Spurge), a small succulent shrub adorned with up to 150 vertical branches as thick as a man’s arm.

Terrific at adding texture, color, and shape to the landscape, all these plants look good year-round, are deer resistant, and drought tolerant and some have even won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Garden Information

Hardiness 9 - 11
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

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Opuntia (Prickly Pear) Euphorbia (Spurge)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Phoenix canariensis (Canary Island Date Palm)
Opuntia santa-rita (Santa Rita Prickly Pear)
Cleistocactus strausii (Silver Torch)
Aeonium arboreum
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Garden Information

Hardiness 9 - 11
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Opuntia (Prickly Pear) Euphorbia (Spurge)
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

Similar Garden Ideas

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Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ears) N/A Buy Plants
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) N/A Buy Plants
Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man Cactus) N/A Buy Plants
Ferocactus pilosus (Mexican Lime Cactus) N/A Buy Plants
Euphorbia canariensis (Canary Island Spurge) N/A Buy Plants

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