Cacti and Succulents

Bright flowers, colorful foliage, interesting shapes, drought tolerant and easy to grow, it’s hard to beat cactus and succulents for a unique accent. In the garden succulents add bold textures and shapes for a dramatic effect, with low maintenance and low water. A mixed succulent container can add life and texture to a patio or brighten up a sunny spot in the home, and it will look just as good after that two week summer vacation as it did when you left. Despite our cold wet winters there are several types of cacti and succulents that thrive here in the foothills.

One key to success is having good drainage; these plants don’t like to be wet, especially when it is cold. By adding Gardener and Bloome Planting Mix and pumice (lava rock) at the time of planting drainage can be greatly improved, additionally create a mound three to six inches high to prevent water from settling around the base of the plant. A slope is also an ideal location. In a container use a good quality potting soil, like Black Gold Organic, mixed with pumice (to improve drainage), or use a premixed cactus blend, we like Black Gold Cactus Mix.

During the growing season succulents do appreciate water and food. Fertilize with Dr. Earth Rose and Flower food after the last chance of a hard frost; repeat the application every six to eight weeks until August or early September. Supplement with MaxSea Bloom food when flower buds start to form for bigger better blooms. In the landscape don’t begin to irrigate until the soil begins to dry. A deep watering once a month should be plenty. In a container be sure to let the soil dry completely between each watering. In the winter months succulents grow very little and shouldn’t need any extra water, even on a covered patio or in the home. However, if stems or foliage begin to ‘deflate’ or become limp it is time to do a little watering.

There are a vast number of different types of cacti and succulents, from towering columns to spiny pincushions and sprawling groundcovers. For a showy centerpiece try a Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus with its’ purple paddle shaped stems, or a Peruvian Torch Cactus with fragrant white flowers on upright stems to eight feet tall. Upright Cordyline, aka Hardy Dracena Palm, also makes a dramatic specimen and are available in a wide range of colors. Not all agave are monsters like the century plant, Durango Delight Agave is a cool compact variety with deep green leaves edged in white. Also check out Monterey Bay Nursery’s web site for some great pictures of more cold hardy agaves, and the cold hardy Spiral Aloe. The bright yellow and green grassy leaves of Banana-Split Yucca make any landscape pop. Hens and Chicks make great accents or rock garden plants with small rosettes ranging from purple to green with stalks of small daisy-like blooms. For a tough ground cover try a Dwarf Ice Plant with bright yellow or pink blooms throughout summer. Sedum is another great ground cover with foliage ranging in color from red to yellow to blue to green. For bright showy flowers in fall an upright sedum, like Matrona, with bright rosy pink flowers is a great option. Many cacti start blooming from a small size and often have very large showy blooms, check out the largest selection of assorted cactus in the beginning of April.

Many succulents are frost sensitive, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be easily grown. Many of the aloes are not cold hardy past the high twenties, but can easily be moved indoors over the winter months; grow one for a ready supply of Aloe Vera for cuts and burns. Jade plants also are tender and appreciate being moved to a protected spot in the cooler months. There are hundreds of other rare and unique succulents that stay compact making them excellent potted specimens that can easily be moved to enjoy year round.

Look past the spines and give the world of cactus and succulents a try. Be rewarded with bold shapes and colors without extra irrigation or effort. They aren’t just for dessert gardens; they can even fit into a woodland, Mediterranean or cottage garden theme. Come by and visit us at El Dorado Nursery to learn more about this fun group of plants.

By Brendan Wilce