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A Striking Water-Wise Border with Agave, Cactus and Ocotillo

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

Garden ideas, Mediterranean garden, Water wise Garden, Drought-tolerant Garden, Agave parryi, Echinocactus, Barrel Cactus, Fouquiria splendens,Ocotillo

Adding a touch of color to the arid landscape, this water-wise border provides visual impact while being extremely low-care. Three striking plants star with majesty: Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) with its barrel-shaped stem adorned with prominent ribs covered with bright golden spines; Agave parryi (Artichoke Agave) with its pretty rosettes of thick, silvery-blue leaves, tipped and edged with short, dark spines; and finally, Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo), a plant full of surprises with its bright green leaves appearing in response to rains and disappearing with drought.

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

Garden Information

Hardiness 9 - 11
Climate Zones 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

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Agave
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Agave parryi var. huachucensis (Artichoke Agave)
Agave parryi var. truncata ‘Huntington’ (Artichoke Agave)
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
Climate Zones 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agave
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Arizona
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

Similar Garden Ideas

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Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) N/A Buy Plants
Agave parryi (Artichoke Agave) N/A Buy Plants
Fouquieria splendens (Ocotillo) N/A Buy Plants

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