Cacti and Succulent Garden

One corner of the back yard became the cacti and succulent garden, with a couple of palm trees thrown in for good measure. It started when we found two Washingtonia filifera at such a good price that we could not pass them up. This led to a project that we did not plan, which is a common occurrence for us. With just a few large specimens, we defined an area of the yard with relatively little time or effort. Gary put down some weed block material, and covered it with sand and a bit of gravel. Each time a plant is added, a hole is cut through the fabric.

After planting the palm trees, the cacti began calling our name each time we visited the nurseries. They beckoned and we responded. We purchased two large cacti, and most of the smaller ones were given to us by friends and neighbors. Then we found a yucca tree, and my mom gave us a concrete armadillo. To add some color we added portulaca and purslane.

A cacti garden is a fun project because we can collect cacti at our leisure over a long period. Although a big cactus can be quite costly, small cacti can be found at affordable prices. Cacti are especially enjoyable when they flower. Growing your own large cacti from a small specimen is almost as rewarding as growing a palm tree from a seed.

Mystery bulbsThe center of it all

August 23, 1997