Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen succulent with magnificent rosettes of glossy, fleshy, dark-purple leaves. If grown in full sun, the foliage of this Aeonium turns almost black, adding incredible drama and interest to the garden or containers. In part shade, the rosettes are reddish purple with a green center. Attractive when not blooming, this Aeonium is particularly striking when it produces bright golden racemes of small, star-shaped flowers in summer.

Aeonium arboreum is an evergreen succulent with showy rosettes of shiny, fleshy, spoon-shaped, apple green leaves at the end of sausage-like branches. Attractive when not blooming, this Aeonium is particularly striking when it produces bright golden racemes of small, star-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring.

Prized for its colorful flowers and attractive foliage, Aloe arborescens (Torch Aloe) is an evergreen succulent shrub with branching stems holding many decorative rosettes. Each rosette consists of widely spreading, gray-green, sword-shaped leaves with conspicuous pale teeth along their edges. In winter, large, conical, bright red to orange flower spikes are borne in profusion above the foliage, brightening up the dull winter garden. The inflorescences are usually unbranched, with two or more arising from a single rosette.

Ideal for hot dry gardens, Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant) is a vigorous, mat-forming, evergreen succulent with vibrant, deep purplish-pink, daisy-like flowers, up to 2 in. across (5 cm). Blooming continuously from early summer to fall, the blossoms are produced in such quantities that they literally cover the foliage of fleshy, light green leaves. The intensity of the flower color, combined with the long blooming season and evergreen foliage, reinforce the ornamental interest of this plant. Perfect choice as a groundcover or for rock gardens.

Adding vertical structure to the garden, Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub, simple or densely branched, boasting terminal rosettes of sword-shaped, dagger-like, deep green leaves. Thick and stiff, the evergreen leaves, 2 ft. long (60 cm), feature small, sharp serrations on the margin and a very sharp tip. They are topped in spring or summer with erect clusters, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm), of large nodding bell-shaped creamy white flowers, sometimes tinged purplish. Carefree and durable, Spanish bayonet is tolerant of drought, frost, heat, and salt.

Fast-growing, Trichocereus pachanoi (San Pedro Cactus) is a large, multi-stemmed columnar cactus forming a small tree adorned with several branches. Up to 6 in. wide (15 cm), each columnar stem is pale green to blue-green when young, changing to dark green with age. They feature 4-8 rounded ribs with white areoles and few spines. In summer, very large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped, white flowers, 8 in. across (20 cm), bloom at night and remain open for the following day. Easy to grow, San Pedro Cactus pups from the base, and is reported to be cold-hardy down to 10°F (-12°C) for short periods.

Slow-growing, Trichocereus pasacana (Pasacana Tree Cactus) is a large columnar cactus with a strong branched habit. However, the stem remains solitary for a long while before it produces lateral branches. Up to 30 in. wide (75 cm), each stout, deep green stem features 20-30 deep ribs and large, brown areoles packed with a cluster of amber to dark-brown spines. From spring to summer, large, trumpet-shaped, rose-white flowers, 6 in. across (15 cm), open in the evening and last up to 3 days. Borne on the sides of the stems, they are followed by edible, dark green fruits, densely covered with hairs.

Opuntia elatior (Red-Flower Prickly Pear) is a big succulent shrub, eventually becoming tree-like, with a well-defined primary trunk and a profusion of flat, oblong, olive green pads, up to 16 in. long (40 cm). Bright white, needle-like spines (aging to gray-brown) are clustered in groups of 2-8. Sitting on the outer edges of the pads, a profusion of large, long-lasting, orange or reddish flowers appear in spring or summer. They are followed by egg-shaped fruits, that ripen to reddish-pink.

Dasylirion acrotrichum (Green Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly rounded rosette packed with up to 100-300 long, slender, ribbonlike, lime green leaves with feathery, tufted ends. The leaves can reach 3 ft. in length (90 cm) and are adorned with small recurved spines along their edges. The rosette sits on a very short and stocky stem felted with old leaves. In summer, it is topped with a dramatic flowering stalk, up to 15 ft. tall (450 cm), bearing small creamy white flowers. Heat tolerant and cold-hardy to 20°F (-6°C) for short periods.