Absolutely fascinating, Aloe polyphylla (Spiral Aloe) is a compact evergreen succulent valued for its foliage arranged in a perfect spiral pattern. The fleshy gray-green leaves form a tight rosette that becomes a beautiful spiral, either clockwise or counterclockwise, as the plant ages. A plant can count up to 150 leaves geometrically arranged in 5 ranks. The leaves are adorned with white to pale-green spines along their edges and a dark, purplish brown terminal spine at their tips. This Aloe rarely flowers. When it does in spring and early summer, its red to salmon-pink tubular blooms are borne on a branching spike which emerges above the foliage.

A stunning plant for year-round interest, Euphorbia characias 'Tasmanian Tiger' is an evergreen subshrub with beautifully variegated foliage and long-lasting flowers. Upright, it features erect stems with spirally arranged, narrow, gray-green leaves adorned with creamy-white margins. In spring, they are topped with broad conical heads of chartreuse flowers, which consist primarily of creamy bracts with green center blotches. The overall effect is very eye-catching.

Unique and eye-catching, award-winner Sedum nussbaumerianum (Coppertone Stonecrop) is a low growing, evergreen, perennial subshrub with attractive rosettes of thick pointed leaves, about 2 in. (5 cm) long at maturity. Yellow-green in partial shade, the leaves turn rosy-gold to bright coppery red in full sun. Round clusters of slightly scented white starry flowers with pink anthers appear in spring. A great choice for the rock or succulent garden or in a decorative container or hanging basket.

Eye-catching, Crassula capitella 'Campfire' is a branching succulent with densely stacked, propeller-like, pale green leaves that change to brilliant scarlet in bright light. The color is brightest in winter in response to cool nights and bright sunlight. Low-growing, this plant spreads by runners to form a colorful mat. It can be used as a small scale groundcover. Clusters of small, starry, flowers appear in summer. 

Worthy of our attention, Euphorbia polygona 'Snowflake' is an evergreen succulent forming cylindrical, deeply ribbed, chalky white columns adorned with beautiful 'heads' of dark purple flowers and fewer spines than the species. This plant offsets prolifically, eventually forming small, closely spaced colonies of symmetrical columns.

Prized for its colorful flowers and interesting foliage, Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming small rosettes of thick, sword-shaped, white spotted leaves adorned with sharp teeth along their edges. Pinkish red in full sun, the foliage turns bluish-green in part shade. Borne on branched stems, up to 3 ft. high (90 cm), from late winter to spring, heads of coral orange flowers make a show, and repeat intermittently year-round. The leaf tips of this Aloe may turn purple and partially die back in situation of frosty temperatures, however it usually recovers quite easily. This Aloe species is an excellent choice for seaside gardens and rock gardens.

Among the most dramatic succulent plants, award-winning Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant) is an impressive evergreen succulent with a basal rosette of thick, fleshy, rounded leaves, 8 in. long (20 cm) and 6-8 in. wide (15-20 cm). Resembling clamshells, the jade green leaves are adorned with vibrant red-wine tips during the cooler winter months if grown in bright light. Attractive when not blooming, this Kalanchoe is particularly striking in late winter to early spring when a 2-3 ft. stem (60-90 cm), arises from its center, bearing clusters of pale yellow tubular flowers.

A very attractive species, Opuntia santa-rita (Santa Rita Prickly Pear) is an upright, bushy succulent shrub with colorful, round, ovate, fleshy pads. Covered with spines, the pads turn rich purple in winter before changing back to soft blue-gray with warmer temperatures. This purple pad coloration also intensifies in direct sunlight and drought. Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, large multi-petalled, yellow flowers appear in spring, creating a stunning contrast with the purple pads. They are followed by small edible purple fruits that are highly attractive to birds. Frost-hardy, Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a very decorative cactus that adds beauty to the garden year-round.

Euphorbia mauritanica (Pencil Milkbush) is an evergreen, densely branched shrub with pencil-thin, cylindrical and smooth, lime-green branches. Small, silver-gray leaves show off on young stems. In winter, clusters of bright yellow flowers appear at the tip of the stems. Quite handsome in flower, it develops pale green leaves terminally. When the plant is injured, it exudes milky sap at the cut.

Among the loveliest of Aeoniums, award-winning 'Sunburst' is an evergreen succulent with large variegated rosettes, 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. Held on long bare stems, the leaves are a delightful combination of creamy yellow and green stripes and are adorned with coppery red tips when exposed to the sun. Adding incredible drama and interest to the garden or containers, this Aeonium produces pale yellow racemes of small, star-shaped flowers in spring on mature plants.