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At Home with Succulents Ken Altman

Free with Purchase of a Succulent Succulents are that Solve Problems

S ucculents look great with minimal care, Photographers, collectors, landscap- won’t wilt if you forget to water them, and ers and container enthusiasts are delightful to collect and use in gar- prize dwarf and diminutive succulents dens and containers. The more you know with geometric shapes. Among these are about these intriguing plants, the more sempervivums (hens and chicks), echeve- you’ll enjoy growing them. rias, and . Chances are you’re familiar with jade Most cacti are lea ess succulents with and big agaves (century plants), but did spines that radiate from central points. you know that nearly 20,000 varieties of All cacti are succulents but not all succu- succulents exist? Many of those currently lents are cacti. Some have long, overlap- available in nurseries and garden centers ping spines that create starburst patterns. were introduced to the marketplace dur- Collectible cacti include those covered ing the last few decades. with what appears to be white hair. Such Succulent , which typically are ˆ laments serve as a frost blanket in winter thicker than those of other plants, range and shade the plants in summer. in size from dainty beads to 6-foot swords. Nearly all succulents do well in pots, Some succulents, terraces and planter notably cacti, are boxes. Some variet- as round as balls. A A is a succulent if ies (such as jade), few, particularly eu- when conˆ ned, phorbias, resemble it stores water in juicy will naturally bon- undersea creatures. leaves or stems in order sai, maintaining the Agaves and same size for years. have upright, foun- to survive dry spells. Even those with the tain-like leaves. potential to become bainesii (aloe ) quite large stay and Dracena draco (dragon tree) form smaller longer in containers. trunks and grow tall. Most succulents need protection from Ice plants with vivid blooms make eye- below-freezing temperatures, but frost- catching and are good tolerant succulents do exist. Among them for slopes. Vining and pendant succu- are , sempervivums (hens and lents are perfect for hanging containers. chicks), many (stonecrops), and Succulents such as store water some agaves and cacti. in bulbous , which can be exposed to show them o† .

Succulent foliage comes in red, pink, lavender, yellow and blue as well as stripes, blends and speckles. The plants also produce lovely  owers.

3 Why Use Succulents? The Ultimate Easy-Care Plants

I n the Southwest, before automatic irri- fact, are perfect for brown-thumb garden- gation became the norm, aloes, agaves, ers. Because the plants don’t need a lot of jade, yuccas and — along care, growing them frees time that other- with geraniums — were default plants. wise would have been spent on yard work. Homeowners used these plants to ˆ ll bare Succulents also are friendly to the , dirt when they didn’t want to spend time posing no threat to birds or other wildlife. or having to remember to water. Nor do the plants encroach, like weeds, When irrigation systems made water- where they’re not wanted. ing easy and conserving water was yet Other uses for spiky cacti and agaves are to be a concern, the typical yard incorpo- as security plants under windows or along rated thirsty tropicals, , bushes, property lines. But perhaps the most un- annuals and a . usual — and important — use for succu- Today, due to a growing awareness that the Southwest is basically an irrigated des- ert — prone to drought and with limited A garden comprised water for a surging population — things have come full circle. Many homeowners primarily of succulents no longer want high-water, high-mainte- nance yards and . needs trimming four Fortunately, there now are more water- times a year or less. wise, easy-care succulents in garden cen- ters than ever before, and new varieties are continually being introduced. It is now pos- lents (typically jade, ice plant, aloes and sible to have a landscape that is colorful, prickly ) is as a wildˆ re barrier. verdant and interesting in ways low-water Because of their high moisture content, never were before. the plants are slow to catch ˆ re and do not They make good-looking container transmit  ames. plants for your home and garden, are easy- Collectors have enjoyed succulents (the maintenance, and are fun and interesting more bizarre the better) for decades. The to collect. And because succulents don’t Cactus & Succulent Society of America now mind neglect, you needn’t worry about has chapters in every major city, and many them when you’re away. host exhibitions. Also well worth seeing are Much of the appeal of succulents is the public gardens and nurseries with idea-rich way they look. They’re often described as plantings of succulents (see Resources, p. 23). “geometric,” “architectural” and “sculptural.” Succulents are not di• cult to grow and, in

Agaves, aeoniums and sedums planted here with durable perennials make a colorful, easy to care for garden. parryi truncata, arboreum ‘Zwartkop’, 4 nussbaumerianum ~Design by Je Moore, Solana Succulents Care

Given rich, friable soil and regular water, succulents grow lush and ˆ ll in rapidly. Water, Soil Agave attenuata variegata, Echinocactus & Fertilizer grusonii (golden barrel), Agave parryi truncata

M ost succulents are capable of going without wa- when you pull it out, with soil adhering to it, don’t ter signiˆ cantly longer than similarly-sized garden water. When you do water, let it  ow out the holes plants, but they do need regular water to look their in the bottom of the pot to  ush salts that may have best. Depending on the weather, the plant and the built up in the soil. size of the container, this might be as often as once a During the growing season (spring and summer week or as infrequently as once a month. for most succulents), commercial growers use dilute The fatter the succulent, the more water it holds fertilizer to encourage lush and rapid growth. But if and the less it needs. Golden barrel cactus is an ex- you’re pleased with the size of your succulents and ample of a succulent that the way they look, you needn’t fer- does ˆ ne in the arid South- tilize them at all. Or simply apply west on rainfall alone. With A rule of thumb is to a balanced liquid fertilizer di- its shape, color and tex- luted to half the recommended ture, the plant also makes let soil go nearly dry strength, once or twice a year. Temperature, Light a wonderful landscape en- between waterings. What happens to a succulent hancement. if its soil goes completely dry? As & Grooming Regardless of which suc- the plant draws on stored moisture, culents you grow, make sure water drains rapidly its leaves may lose their sheen and shrivel. Yet these from the soil. There are many successful soils for suc- are tough plants. Even when neglected for a month or I f garden plants such as geraniums, philodendrons, in shady or indoor conditions, the plants may stretch culents (they are not fussy), but the ideal mix con- more, most succulents recover when watered again. and are prevalent in your area, toward light. Rotating potted succulents 180 degrees tains about equal parts organic material like peat or it means that frost is not a concern, and you can grow once a week or so will keep growth balanced. ground , and inorganic material like pumice or succulents outdoors year-round. Succulents are among the most pest-free plants, es- perlite (but not more than 10% sand). Even if temperatures occasionally drop below 32ºF, pecially when grown outdoors. Good air circulation Dry soil weighs less than wet, so one way to tell if many succulents — once established or in the right prevents harmful insects from settling on the plants. a potted succulent needs water is to lift it, or push a location — handle cold better than one would ex- Occasionally, however, mealy bugs (which look like wooden chopstick into the soil. If the stick is damp pect. Your garden likely has microclimates that are bits of cotton) may appear where leaves join stems. signiˆ cantly warmer than exposed areas. Walls radi- Aphids, which look like black or yellow pinheads, are ate heat, as do pavement, hardscape and boulders. attracted to new growth — especially  ower . Keep in mind that southern exposures are warmest; Hosing the plant will dislodge aphids. For house- northern, coldest. Also, the slightest cover, such as plants, keep rubbing alcohol diluted to half strength an eave or tree , will provide some frost pro- handy, and spray pests, should they appear. Or, dab tection. them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Surprisingly, a little more cold, sun or dryness than A little grooming will keep your succulents tidy. the plants prefer may serve to make them even love- When  owers are ˆ nished, snip stems close to the lier. The colors of the leaves of certain succulents (no- plant. As old leaves turn dry and brown, cut or pull tably jades, aloes and ) will intensify when them o† . If bits of debris or dry leaves fall into a dish they are stressed, turning them vivid shades of or- garden or become stuck to a cactus, extract them ange and red. with long-handled tweezers. And if you need to pull Most succulents do best when given bright light weeds from around spiky cacti and agaves, you’ll ˆ nd (several hours of sun daily). Although many will grow that ˆ sh hook pliers come in handy.

Aeonium ‘Escondido’ 7 Inspiration Dish Gardens Around the House tirucalli, luciae (Flapjacks), Sedum ‘Angelina’ Use a high quality soil media in Left: Vibrant Kalanchoe luciae ( apjacks) contrasts with a simple glazed pot. the container, such as commercial Below Left: Burgundy-tipped Aeonium atropurpureum in burgundy bowls cactus mix. Or create your own enhance entry pedestals. Below: Single and mixed plantings are brought mix of equal parts potting soil and together in a collection of terracotta pots. ~Design by Schnetz Landscape pumice or perlite. Place plants to your liking, ‡ ll recesses with soil, tamp ‡ rmly and water thoroughly. Place in bright light or dappled sunlight. Water well when soil is dry to the touch. Trim plants to maintain desired shape.

Left: Color me red! Geraniums, Kalanchoe luciae ( apjacks), and Aloe cameronii. Below: Sweet and simple: agavoides with sprigs of Sedum ‘Angelina’, dressed with pebbles.

Below: Tuck sedums into steps. From top step, down: Cotyledon ladismithensis, blue mandraliscae, Echeveria gibbi‘ ora hybrids, Sedum rubrotinctum. ~Design by Amelia Lima Below: Renew a strawberry pot with a showcase of succulents: Senecio jacobsenii cascades from the top; side pockets feature echeveria and rosettes, as well as trailing Ceropegia woodii variegata (String of Hearts).

Below: Echeveria rosettes form a beautiful pattern. Right: A variety of echeveria rosettes mix with sedums and .

~ Designed by Chicweed

8 9 Inspiration In the Landscape

Left: Echeverias and graptoverias form stripes. Below: Blue Echeveria imbricata rosettes alongside Agave bracteosa Below: Rosea ice plant surrounds aeoniums and Agave attenuata. which has smooth, supple leaves. Further down, afra formis ‘Variegata’ combines with assorted aeoniums.

~ Design by Matthew Maggio for Sherman Gardens

Before Two years later

Above: A front-yard garden combines yellow-edged Agave americana variegata (in back), red-tipped Kalanchoe luciae, a  owering aloe, blue Senecio mandraliscae, golden barrel cactus and (in front). Below: Aeonium decorum, Kalanchoe luciae, Aloe ‘Rooikappie’ ~ Design by Deena Altman and Sedum re‘ exum ‘Blue Spruce’ border a walkway.

Right: A bedding planter is ˆ lled with green and cream colored Aeonium ‘Sunburst’, and coordinating variegated phormium. The pot at the far left is planted with foetida ‘Mediopicta’.

~ Design by Chicweed ~ Design by Waterwise Botanicals for Elanit Abrams

10 11 Inspiration Textural Cactus In the House

Cacti and succulents are wonderful for small The variety of shapes, patterns, textures and colors make collections and as well as large-scale collectors. these plants enticing to collect. Perfect for decorating an o• ce, windowsill, patio, dorm, kitchen or bath, these Left: The sun intensiˆ es the purple of violacea ‘Santa Rita’ in blue pots. Below: (right) and Echinocactus grusonii (golden barrel) (left) combine with easy-care plants will start conversations and inspire the  owering osteospermum. designer in you.

~ Design by Elisabeth Crouch Top: Echeverias in martini glasses. Top Right: Kalanchoe luciae ( apjacks) make a nice desk accessory. Bottom: Succulents replace votive candles. Bottom Right: Aloe vera is decorative and can be used to treat minor cuts, scrapes and sunburns.

Left: Averaging less than a half inch in diameter, gracilis v. fragilis looks like tiny snowballs. Lower left: Mammillaria spinosissima ‘Red Headed Irishman’.

Tips for Transplanting Cacti When transplanting, loop a rolled newspaper or twisted cloth around the widest part of the plant. An e• cient way to carry a barrel cactus is to lasso it with a length of soft hose. Tall columnar cacti often are trans- A recently dug-up ferocactus is easily ported wrapped in carpet. carried with a length of hose.

12 13 Inspiration Wondrous Details Brilliant Surprisingly, some of the most Left and below: Fenestraria aurantiaca (baby toes) beautiful fl owers in the plant (left) and Lithops (Living Stones) have transparent windows that enable sunlight to enter. kingdom are those of cacti.

Below: Aloe arborescens  owers in January. Bottom: ( of thorns) blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, peach, white and bi-colors. Right: Lampranthus aurantiacus (gold ice plant)

Below: Twisting Cereus peruvianus ‘Spiralis’ is remarkable in the landscape. Further down: The hairs of Oreocereus celsianus provide protection. Right: Aloe bainesii grows to 10 to 20 feet.

Above: Intense magenta blooms of a cactus- Trichocereus grandi‘ ora hybrid. Below: Aeonium  owers

~Design by Solana Succulents

14 15 Varieties

Aeonium Aloe Aeoniums have a Aloes hail from South distinctive, daisy-like . The dozens appearance. Amazingly, of varieties of aloe Aloe ‘Crosby’s Proliˆ c’ Aloe ‘Firebird’ Fan Aloe the leaves of aeoniums Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ range from ˆ st-sized Aeonium percarneum ‘Kiwi’ Aloe plicatilis can vary in color from Grows to 14” tall x 24” wide. Grows to 10” tall x 15” wide Grows to 6” tall x 10” wide. to , but all have Free- owering patio or windowsill Clustering rosettes are an Grows to 15” tall x 24” wide. A classic, clumping aloe. Repeat- owering miniature aloe that Grows slowly to 4’ x 4’. black to rose and yellow. plant. 36” tall over time. unusual chocolate color. Bright yellow variegation is stunning. Flowers easily. blooms almost all year. A slow growing tree aloe with gel-ˆ lled leaves in The rosettes grow leaves forming fans. common. Aloes bloom on the ends of stems for several weeks, often that, depending on in winter, sending up the variety, may be a waxy, torchlike  owers quarter inch or more in in brilliant shades of diameter. orange, yellow or rose-red.

Aeonium ‘Voodoo’ Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ Thread Agave Medicinal Aloe Living Stone False Ocotillo x Aeonium atropurpureum Agave ‡ lifera Aloe vera Aloinopsis schooneesii arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ ‘Zwartkop’ Grows to 24” tall x 24” wide. Grows to 24” tall x 18” wide. Grows to 1” tall x 1.5” wide. Grows to 10”+ tall. Grows to 30” tall x 24” wide. Miniature mimicry plant from Grows to 12’ tall x 2’ wide. Madagascar White ˆ laments line Medicinal aloe used for sunburn origin. Sculptural spires of stems. Low clumping; great color. Tall stems are topped with the deep narrow- leaved rosettes. and minor skin scrapes. . burgundy rosettes.

Agave Cacti Agaves are native Cacti are highly to the Southwest and e• cient moisture- Mexico. Depending on storage vessels. Their Anacampseros Climbing Onion Rock Purslane the variety, leaves may ‘Confederate Rose’ Agave Artichoke Agave Tequila Agave spines, which in some Agave parryi truncata Agave tequilana Anacampseros telephiastrum Bowiea volubilis Calandrinia spectabilis be several inches to Grows to 14” tall x 16” wide. variegata varieties overlap Grows to 18” tall x 30” wide Grows to 8’ tall x 8’ wide “Onions” grow to 6” in diameter over Forms a low, dense mound about 10” Fast o† -setting, durable agave Grows to 2” tall x 3” wide. several feet long. Agaves forms attractive clumps. Classic agave – makes a great The heart of the plant is used time. Perfect windowsill plant. tall and to 36” across. to form intriguing have crisp silhouettes statement in the landscape. for making tequila. Small, jewel-like succulent. Vivid purple  owers on tall stems. patterns, protect, shade that look great in front and/or collect moisture of boulders and walls. for the plants. Cacti can Large agaves make be spherical, columnar excellent garden focal or pad-forming, and points. Diminutive all varieties produce agaves are ideal for satiny  owers. As living pots and for massing in sculptures, cacti make garden beds. excellent potted plants.

Aloe ‘Blue Elf’ Crocodile Plant Climbing Aloe String of Hearts Peanut Cactus Cissus tuberosa Ceropegia woodii variegata Chamaelobivia ‘Rose Quartz’ Grows to 24” tall x 18” wide Aloe brevifolia Aloe ciliaris ‘Firebreak’ Cissus tuberosa Free  owering in February/March. Grows to 12” tall x 12” wide Grows to 24” tall x 72” wide. Vining and trailing to 30”. Grows to 5” tall x 4” wide. Grows to 8” tall x 4” wide. Durable, clustering plant. Fast growing. Clumps of this plant can Free  owering, clustering cactus. From the grape family. 16 retard the spread of ˆ re. Good . 17 Varieties

Crassula Echinocactus Crassulas are either (Golden Barrel) shrub-forming or There is arguably trailing, and are good no greater design container plants. Jade Silver Torch Hobbit Jade Crassula ‘Campˆ re’ Golden Barrel Mike Tanzanian Zipper Plant enhancement to a dry Cleistocactus strausii Crassula argentea ‘Hobbit’ Echinocactus grusonii Euphorbia acrurensis Euphorbia anoplia Crassula capitella ‘Campˆ re’ garden than these plants, the best known Grows to 4’ tall x 18” wide. Grows to 42” tall x 42” wide. Blazing red foliage Grows to 30” tall x 36” wide. Grows to 8’+ in time. Grows to 8” tall x 8” wide. Crassula, are common in Clustering columnar cactus. A fancy form of jade plant. when grown in bright sun. Most popular cactus for gardens, Freely branching tree euphorbia. Clustering, glossy and durable golden-yellow spheres. frost-free gardens and landscapes and collectors. potted plant. The color, texture are grown worldwide as and shape of golden . Crassulas barrels lend interest, have many shapes, deˆ nition and contrast from paddle to bean to any composition. For to tubular, and come maximum e† ect, group in silver-gray, green, golden barrels in threes. orange and red-tipped.

Propeller Plant Valentine Plant Echeveria ‘Encantada’ Firesticks Medusa Plant Green Coral Crassula perfoliata v. falcata Crassula platyphylla Grows to 6” tall x 18” wide. Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Firesticks’ Euphorbia ‘ anaganii Euphorbia ‘ anaganii cristata Grows to 15” tall x 10” wide. Grows to 4” tall x 12” wide. Strong, thick  ower stalks on Grows to 5’ tall x 4’ wide. Grows to 5” tall x 10”+ wide. Grows to 5” tall x 10” wide. Fragrant red  owers. Red foliage – very attractive silver-white rosettes. Turns red in cool weather. One of the Clusters of yellow  owers in spring. The growing point is an and easy to grow. most striking succulents. undulating fan called a “crest.”

Echeveria Euphorbia Echeverias have , from rubbery leaves arranged Africa, are the Old like the of a rose. World’s equivalent Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ Desert Rose African Snow ake As such, they make Miniature Echeveria Alabaster Swirl Crown of Thorns to cacti. Succulent Echeveria gibbi‘ ora cristata variegata Euphorbia milii Euphorbia polygona ‘Snow ake’ wonderful additions Grows 3” to 5” tall x 8” wide. Echeveria minima euphorbias come in a Dark-leaved echeveria. Red  owers. Grows to 6” tall x 14” wide Grows to 3” tall x 4” wide. Grows to 18” tall x 24” wide. Blooms almost nonstop. Grows to 18” tall x 8” wide. to  ower beds and E. gibbi‘ ora hybrids exhibit many Icy-blue rosettes. Dramatic, pink-edged crests become Silver-white stems slowly multitude of shapes, di† erent forms of leaf crinkles and color. grow into clusters.  oral-style container more convoluted over time. from chubby little arrangements. Colors balls like Euphorbia range from reddish- anoplia (which makes brown to icy blue and a delightful addition to include shades of green, pots) to tall, columnar frosty violet, rose-red Euphorbia acrurensis and nearly iridescent (which is great for pastels. adding vertical interest to dry gardens).

Hens and Chicks Echeveria ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ Echeveria ‘Topsy Turvy’ Good Luck Plant Royal Red Tiger Jaws Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ Grows to 5” tall x 8” wide. Grows to 6” tall x 9” wide. Euphorbia trigona Euphoriba trigona ‘Royal Red’ Faucaria tigrina Grows to 6” tall x 12” wide. Pink rosettes margined with cream. Tubular leaves and silvery color make Grows to 6’ tall x 3’ wide in time. Grows to 6’ tall x 3’ wide in time. Grows to 6” tall x 12” wide. Blue rosettes pup freely to this a standout. Good house plant. Red version of the green form. Yellow  owers in late summer/early fall. 18 form tight clusters. Leaf pairs look like a tiger’s toothy jaws. 19 Varieties

In the House Most succulents can grow in a sunny window, but certain ‘Green Ice’ Grafted “Moon” Cactus Plaid Cactus Old Man of the False Saguaro Madagascar Palm varieties do best as they Gasteraloe ‘Green Ice’ Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Oreocereus celsianus pringlei lamerei v. friedrichii Grows to 24” tall x 8” wide. are either adapted to Grows to 6” tall x 8” wide. The colorful top, which lacks Grows to 30’ +. Grows to 4’ tall x 8” wide Super structural. Great house plant. Grows to 3” tall x 3” wide. Evolved hair to shade the body and Classic columnar cactus. Wonderful as a potted plant. low light or they grow , is grafted onto a host Repeated waves of capture moisture from mist. Split Rock plant. Look for yellow, pink, and pink  owers. nelii so slowly that they orange , as well. Grows to 2” tall x 4” wide. maintain their shape for Another mimicry plant from South a long time. Sansevierias, Africa. Yellow  owers fade to salmon. haworthias, gasteraloes, most cacti, jade plants and aloes perform well as indoor plants. Opuntia Opuntia cacti, commonly called prickly pear or beaver tail, have paddles that grow atop Elephant Bush African Spear Burro Tail Flapjacks Panda Plant ‘Chocolate Soldier’ each other, creating Kalanchoe luciae Kalanchoe tomentosa Kalanchoe tomentosa Portulacaria afra Sansevieria cylindrica Sedum burrito ‘Chocolate Soldier’ Grows to 6’ tall x 4’ wide. Grows to 24” tall x 15” wide. Trailing to 3’. the whimsical look of Grows to 15” tall x 12” wide. Grows to 12” tall x 12” wide. Favorite food of elephants in Africa. Strong tubular leaves. An architectural, Perfect for hanging baskets. Great form; reddens if Fuzzy leaves make it a favorite of kids. Grows to 12” tall x 12” wide. mouse ears. It is an Fuzzy, chocolate-brown tipped leaves. contemporary-looking plant good for enough light and cool weather. indoors or shade. excellent background plant, gets by on rainfall alone, and can be used as a ˆ rebreak. In Mexico and parts of the Southwest, opuntia pads are eaten as a delicacy known as Mimicry nopales. Mimicry plants (living stones) resemble smooth rocks or Kalanchoe ‘Pink Butter ies’ Stone Faces Golden Ball Cactus Jelly Beans Pork and Beans Corsican Stonecrop Sedum hernandezii pebbles. Their native Kalanchoe delagoense variegata Lithops Notocactus leninghausii Sedum dasyphyllum ‘Major’ Sedum rubrotinctum habitats are among Grows to 1” tall x 1.5” wide. Grows to 3” tall x 4” wide. Grows to 4” tall x 12” wide. Incredibly colorful variegated Grows to 12” tall x 8” wide. Grows to 3” tall x 8” wide. Slow growing, bead-like sedum form of an old hybrid. Mimicry plants match the rock color Balls become columnar over time. Miniature blue sedum. High color on this special . the harshest in the of their habitat. Extremely drought with yellow  ower clusters. world, with only a tolerant—avoid over-watering. few inches of rainfall a year. They grow in coarse sand with just their translucent tops showing, enabling sunlight to reach the interior of the plant. San Pedro Cactus Trichocereus pachanoi Grows to 15’ tall x 4” wide. Balloon Cactus Angel Wings Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cobweb Houseleek String of Pearls Trichocereus Easy to grow, clustering, Notocactus magni‡ cus albata Opuntia violacea ‘Santa Rita’ Sempervivum arachnoideum Senecio rowleyanus Trichocereus grandi‘ ora hybrids columnar cactus. ‘Cebenese’ Grows to 6” tall x 6” wide Grows to 8” tall x 6” wide. Grows to 30” tall x 36” wide. Grows to 5’ long Grows to 24” tall x 24” wide. Yellow spines and  owers. Cute little white-dotted pads; Stunning purple when in full sun; Grows to 4” tall x 6” wide. Fragrant  owers on ever-lengthening Huge  owers (up to 6” diameter) in classic opuntia form. great landscape plant. Beautiful white webbing in stems strung with pearl-shaped leaves. spring on this clustering cactus. 20 the center of rosettes. 21 New Cultivars Resources Hybrids and Patented Plants Explore

Breeders are continually selecting new cultivars greater resistance to mealy bug as well as diseases and creating new hybrids to o† er plant lovers. and the exceptionally large  owers come in a This may be for better hardiness, bug and disease variety of gorgeous colors. If a new hybrid displays resistance, purely for aesthetics, or for any and signiˆ cant aesthetic appeal or vigor, it may be all of those reasons. Examples of this are the eligible to be patented. The patented and selected Chamaelobivia cacti hybrids that result from varieties shown here are from Altman Plants in crossing Chamaecereus sylvestrii (peanut cactus) Vista, California. (Patented plants are issued a with Lobivia species. The resulting hybrids show a patent number that is often included in its name.)

Left: Echeveria ‘Neon Breakers’ PPA Aloes in bloom at Rancho La Puerta ‡ tness spa. Below Left: Aloe ‘Blizzard’ PPA Below Below- Middle: Echeveria ‘Crimson Tide’ PPA Radio Sources Below:-Right Chamaelobivia ‘Rose Quartz’ Garden Life Radio Show Many nurseries and garden centers, including (Peanut Cactus) www.GardenLife.com/store/radioshows national retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes and WalMart, o er succulents. Web The Cactus Collection Oasis Water-E cient Gardens www.CactusCollection.com Escondido, CA www.Oasis-Plants.com Organizations Waterwise Botanicals Cactus and Succulent Society of America Bonsall, CA www.CSSAinc.org www.WaterwiseBotanicals.com Online store: www.GardenLife.com

Books

Designing Succulent Succulents for the The Garden with Succulents Container Gardens Contemporary Garden Succulents Primer by Debra Lee Baldwin by Debra Lee Baldwin by Yvonne Cave by Gideon Smith & Ben-Erik Van Wyk

Public gardens with succulent plantings Huntington Botanical Gardens Ruth Bancroft Garden Sherman Library & Gardens San Marino, CA Walnut Creek, CA Corona del Mar, CA www.Huntington.org www.RuthBancroftGarden.org wwww.SLGardens.org Above: Opuntia subulata cristata ‘Three- headed Cerberus’ Above-Middle: Echeveria ‘Gorgon’s Grotto’ PPA Above-Right: Echeveria ‘Cloud’ LA County Arboretum San Diego Botanic Garden Water Conservation Garden Arcadia, CA Encinitas, CA El Cajon, CA www.Arboretum.org www.SDBGarden.org www.TheGarden.org 22 23 At Home with Succulents explains what you need to know about plant care, soil and watering, o† ers creative design ideas, and includes an illustrated guide to great succulents for your home and garden.

©2011 Altman Plants At Home with Succulents is a publication of Altman Plants, Inc., Vista, CA. Thanks to Theréase Hahn, Shaun Buchanan, Renee O’Connell, Fran Esqueda and Debra Lee Baldwin.