Alphabetical Plant Listing

A Brilliant and Low-Care Mediterranean Border

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


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
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges Great Plant Combination Ideas with Opuntia


JoannaTkaczuk, Shutterstock

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
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Get Garden Design Ideas


Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges Great Plant Combination Ideas with Opuntia


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