Playa La Vista

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

Garden Ideas, Landscaping Ideas, Small Garden, Small Backyard, Mediterranean Garden Style, Pat Broodie, Aeonium, salvia leucantha, octopus agave, agave vilmoriniana, echeveria, aloe, waterwise garden, succulent garden,

This small condo backyard, originally a steep hill and not an useable space, has been beautifully terraced by Pat Brodie Landscape Design with stone and includes succulents, seasonal color, and drought tolerant plants.

Large, sculptural agaves such as Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave), luminous Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta’ (Mauritius Hemp) and various mid-sized aloes are dotting the garden with their wonderful shapes and evergreen foliage. Dazzling color

Adding punch to the landscape are the rich purple blooms of Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage) and the brilliant golden flowers of Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold), two drought tolerant shrubs with aromatic foliage and long-lasting blossoms.

Other bold plants drawing attention are the dark Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ or sunny Aeonium ‘Sunburnt’. The garden beds are underplanted with rivers of cool Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalk Stick) and eye-catching Echeverias.

A relatively easy to maintain and waterwise garden and a feast for the eyes too!

Garden Information

Hardiness	9 - 10
Climate Zones	16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial 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, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer
Attracts	Birds, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Plants In This Garden

Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave)

Prized for its graceful foliage, Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave) is an evergreen succulent perennial adding great interest in the landscape. It forms a solitary rosette of long, slender, gray-green leaves that arch and undulate, resembling the tentacles of an octopus. The toothless edges of the leaves curl inward, particularly around the tips.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	5' - 6' (150cm - 180cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer

Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' (Mauritius Hemp)

Grown for its terrific variegated foliage, Furcraea foetida ‘Mediopicta’ is an evergreen succulent perennial which forms a fountain of upright, long, sword-shaped leaves with slightly wavy margins, resembling undulating ribbons. Soft and not serrated, the luminous green leaves are adorned with a broad, decorative creamy-yellow stripe along their center.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm)
Spread	6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit

Aloe striata (Coral Aloe)

More frost-hardy than most Aloes, Aloe striata (Coral Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming beautiful rosettes of flat broad leaves. Pale gray-green, the fleshy leaves turn pink in full sun or take on blue-gray hues in the shade. Toothless, the leaves exhibit subtle narrow stripes along their length and transparent pinkish red margins.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Salt

Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe)

Well-known for the medicinal value of the juice of its leaves, Aloe vera (Barbados Aloe) is an evergreen succulent perennial forming clumps of rosettes of long, fleshy, narrow, light green leaves with whitish to reddish toothed margins. The leaves turn reddish purple when the plant is under drought stress. I

Hardiness	10 - 12
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Salt

Aeonium 'Zwartkop'

A truly captivating Aeonium, award-winning ‘Zwartkop’ is an evergreen succulent with large rosettes, 6-8 in. across (15-20 cm), of glossy, fleshy, dark burgundy, pointed leaves. If grown in full sun, the foliage of this Aeonium turns almost black, adding incredible drama and interest to the garden or containers.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Salt

Aeonium 'Sunburst'

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.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Salt

Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)

Prized for the shape and pretty color of its foliage, Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks) is a spreading succulent from South Africa with 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm), silvery blue, finger-like fleshy leaves and small white flowers in summer. Quickly forming a dense blue mat with its upward curving leaves, this low-growing succulent is highly versatile and ideal as a border plant or as a groundcover. Great for creating a low, blue edging too.

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Soil Type	Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit

Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

Maybe one of the most attractive salvias, Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) is prized by gardeners for its ornamental and showy velvety flower spikes produced from late summer to first frost, when other summer plants have given hope of doing anything productive.

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Late), Fall
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Soil Type	Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit

Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold)

Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold) is a sprawling evergreen shrub noted for its aromatic foliage and brightly colored flowers. In constant bloom during short-day seasons (fall, winter), with off blooms in other seasons, Mexican Marigold gets covered with bright golden daisy-like flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), adorned with darker yellow discs.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	6' - 10' (180cm - 3m)
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer

Echeveria agavoides 'Lipstick'

Extraordinarily eye-catching, Echeveria agavoides ‘Lipstick’ is a small evergreen succulent forming crisp rosettes of fleshy, sharp-pointed, bright green leaves adorned with vibrant crimson margins. Reminiscent of an Agave, each leaf is tipped with a small spine (hence the name).

Hardiness	9 - 12
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	6" (15cm)
Spread	8" - 1' (20cm - 30cm)
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil Ph	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rabbit

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Echeveria Aeonium Aloe Agave Salvia (Sage) Senecio Tagetes (Marigold)

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Los Angeles Region

Get Garden Design Ideas

Search Gardens

Alternative Plants to Consider

Aeonium haworthii ‘Kiwi’

Echeveria ‘Imbricata’

Agave desmetiana ‘Variegata’

Aloe polyphylla (Spiral Aloe)

The Landscape Designers

Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers

Pat Brodie Landscape Design

Landscape Design, Landscape Plans, Garden Restoration and Consultation, Professional Garden Planning, Hardscape design

Address

P.O Box 50345, Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93150

Phone

(805) 969-4157

Website

www.brodiedesign.com

Pat Brodie Landscape Design Read more

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.