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. Spectacular golden-yellow flowers atop a 10-20 ft. spike appear on mature plants. This plant is monocarpic and dies after flowering. While it does not offset and form pups, it produces abundant plantlets along the bloom spike that you may want to replant in order to ensure a continuing presence of this beauty in the garden.

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. Usually stemless, this plant produces strongly scented, greenish to creamy-white flowers atop a 25 ft. spike (6m) that is attractive to bees. They open in succession over several weeks.

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. In late winter into early spring, clusters of brilliant coral flowers are borne 2ft. (60 cm) above the foliage on tall candelabra stems, brightening up the dull winter garden. Up to three branched inflorescences can arise from a single rosette. Offsets will slowly appear around the base and form a small colony.

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. In spring and summer, long racemes of tubular greenish-yellow flowers are borne on 3ft. (90 cm) branched inflorescences above the foliage. The plump leaves of Aloe vera contain a gummy sap that has been used for cosmetic and skin care reasons for more than 2,000 years.

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. 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 spring.

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.

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.

Incredibly attractive, 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. This evergreen shrubby perennial grows in a wonderful display of very attractive bicolor flowers consisting of soft purple sepals that create a lively contrast to the fuzzy white flowers. They rise in dense, arching spikes above the lance-shaped leaves, gray-green on top and fuzzy white underneath. Native to Mexico.

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. Highly fragrant when rubbed or brushed against, the deeply divided leaves fill the air with their pleasant pungent odor. The musky fragrance discourages deer, yet bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.

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). This Echeveria produces offsets very freely, which hug the mother rosette, adding to its appeal. In the spring and early summer, a flowering spike bearing red flowers with yellow tips is on display. The more sun this Echeveria gets, the more conspicuous its red edges. A great choice for sunny gardens or containers.