#23) Pachyphytum hookeri

I was attracted to this plants beautiful coloring of icy, muted blue, and hints of green toward the center, and pink toward the tips. It loves partial shade and well-draining soil, where it can spread slowly by forming offset rosettes. It's very low growing (4-6" tall), and could look great in a 2-3' wide mature cluster, or in smaller groupings, tucked into a rocky retaining wall. As seen in my 'Parade of Shade' palette, it is very similar in color to Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem,' and if placed in front, it could create an interesting mono-tonal effect. Its fleshy, succulent leaves would also complement the needle-like leaves of the Podocarpus. And, I'm a sucker for blending woodsy looking plants with desert plants, so this is combination is right up my alley.

Pachyphytum hookeri is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Pachyphytum hookeri
Common Name: Hooker's Pachyphytum
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Mexico
Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
Irrigation: Waterwise
Flower Time: Spring
Height: 4-6”
Width: 4-6”

#12) Agave 'Blue Glow'

Agave 'Blue Glow' is a beautiful succulent that stays low and compact. The prettiest thing about it is its yellow and red margins. It's especially beautiful when backlit by the sun.

This planting scheme is particularly successful for a few reasons. Instead of en massed in a tight grid, this single specimen succulent has a more informal effect. I like how it is grounded by the boulder, as well as the contrasting softness of the surrounding foliage. Tonally, it is also really nice – the blue of the Agave is complimented by the bright orange of the Carex testacea, and hues of silver (Helichrysum petiolare), gray green (Lavandula dentata and Festuca glauca), and bright green soften the contrast. Kudos to Verdance Design.

It's also worth noting that the Carex testacea is well placed directly behind the Agave 'Blue Glow', along the top edge of the burm. Its yellow coloring adds to the back lit effect, and distinguishes its spikey form. This plant is available at Devil Mountain Nursery.

Details:
Biological Name: Agave 'Blue Glow'
Common Name: Blue Glow Agave
Family: Agavaceae (Agaves)
Origin: Mexico (North America)
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation: Low Water Needs
Flower Time: Infrequent
Height: 1-2’
Width: 2-3’

#10) Echeveria subrigida

Came across this image while trolling the web and was happily surprised to see a succulent I haven't really seen before. It is as if an Agave (with its pointed leaves) and an Echeveria (with its low rosette form) had a baby. After seeing the same succulents used over and over, this is refreshingly different! Here it is seen with a stubby version of Senecio serpens 'Blue Chalksticks' (another nice diversion from the common). Kudos to Garden Proganda for sharing (http://gardenpropaganda.com/tag/agave-celsii-var-albicans-ucb/).

Devil Mountain Nursery carries 2 kinds of Echeveria subrigida: The cultivar A) 'Fire and Ice' and B) the straight species. I could see both being useful depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

Details:

Biological Name: Echeveria subrigida

Common Name: Echeveria

Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Exposure: Sun or Shade

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring/Summer

Height: 1’

Width: 1-2’

#8) Oscularia deltoides

I first encountered this interesting groundcover within a container planting in a strip mall in Los Angeles. It seems tough as nails and yet kinda sophisticated due to its complex geometrical form and gray green coloring (though, like the picture above, I've also seen it bright green. Are these two different varieties of the same plant? Please let me know if you know!). I also like its reddish stems, and the flowers are tolerable. This particular time, I spotted a flat of it at Flowerland Nursery in Berkeley.

I really like it in the planting scheme above, along with Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' (left), Agave desmettiana (right) and what looks like Senecio cylindricus (just peaking out on the top right corner). There are some groundcovers that just don't look quite right growing in between succulents (too delicate? Too prostrate?) But, this one integrates in just beautifully. It is sprawling, yet upright, and just fine grained enough to contrast nicely with the broad blades. And, the consistent gray green tone of the palette really allows the red stems and the varigation of the agaves to pop. Quite brilliant. Kudos to Hoover Boo (http://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-foliage.html).

Details:

Biological Name: Oscularia deltoides 

Common Name: Pink Iceplant

Family: Aizoaceae (Ice Plants)

Origin: South Africa

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring

Height: <1’

Width: 2-3’

#5) Beschorneria yuccoides

When I saw this plant many years ago in Los Angeles, it struck me as a cross between Agave americana and Phormium tenax. It had the structural form of the first, with the soft, cascading blades of the second. It was grouped en masse, completely blanketing a hillside, making a subdued yet undeniable statement. The bold design perfectly set off, and yet at the same time blended in, the new modern house on the block with its surroundings. At that time, I had no idea what this plant was. Since then, I've seen it lightly sprinkled around the East Bay and its nurseries. 

In terms of behavior, Beschorneria yuccoides clumps over time, sending out pups at the center to eventually become a rounded mass. It sends out red flowering stalks, that contrast its gray green leaves beautifully. Thankfully, when the stalk withers, the plant itself stays intact. 

At the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, they have a Beschorneria yuccoides by the front gate, which is the best application that I've seen in these parts. It sits at the corner of the planting bed, surrounded by a towering Otatea acuminata aztecorum (on its right), and a stunning Agave whipplei (on its left). Learning from this example, this broad-leafed plant pairs well with fine leafed plants, in a roomy spot that can show off its form. Another great perk is that it won't poke anybody's eye out.

Details:

Biological Name: Beschorneria yuccoides

Common Name: Amole

Family: Agavaceae (Agaves)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Summer

Height: 4-6’

Width: 4-6’