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After several years of drought, many smart gardeners are
looking for plants adaptable to drier times. To meet this demand, we
have searched the west to find some amazingly drought tolerant plants.
Sure, desert plants can take the heat, but we’ve found several that take
the cold too. If you think southwestern gardening is impossible in the
humid southeast, we're out to prove you wrong!
Yuccas
 While
Yuccas are mainly confined to the southwestern united states and Mexico
in the wild, several species grow quite well in the southeast. Best of
all, Yuccas seem to thrive on neglect and require little care once
established! Most Yucca foliage ranges from silver blue to dark green in
color, and there are now several variegated forms available with
colorful green, white, yellow and maroon foliage!
There is a Yucca
to fit most any space, with small species reaching 1' tall while larger
types may top 15’! Yuccas put on a stunning display in late spring as
stalks covered with white bell-shaped flowers emerge. Yucca rostrata
features soft narrow blue-green leaves (not spiny at all!) and can grow
upwards of 15' tall. Not only is it exotic, but it has also survived
temperatures of below 0°F. Not convinced? Take a look at this
picture of a Yucca rostrata which has been growing east of
Lawrenceville for 15 years! Yucca torryi is another large growing
Yucca. It has a distinct southwestern look to it, with rigid dark green
leaves. Over time, it will form a trunk and reach heights of 8-10'. If
you prefer colorful foliage, be sure to check out the several forms of
variegated Yucca we offer. Most popular is Yucca 'Color Guard', a
2-4' tall plant with bright yellow bands of color through the center of
the leaf. For smaller spaces, check out Yucca smalliana 'Bright Edge'.
It only grows 1-2' tall and features green leaves with white margins.
Agaves
 Agaves
(or “Century Plants”) are rosette-forming plants with gray (or sometimes
green) colored leaves. Agaves range in size from 1 to 6' tall. Most
Agaves are evergreen into the mid teens in the Atlanta area, and several
are hardy to well below zero with good drainage. Like most
drought-tolerant plants, Agaves should be planted on raised beds
of well draining soil. Rocks can also be placed in these beds to
help wick soil moisture away from the Agaves’ roots. Best of all, after
12 to 15 years, Agaves can produce a
 large
jack-in-the-beanstalk type spike (sometimes reaching heights of 20'!)
which is covered by unusual flowers. Once it flowers, the Agave has
completed its life cycle and will die. Not to worry though, several pups
("baby plants") will replace the parent after its death. In the right
setting, Agaves can create an amazing effect! Best of all, Agaves only
need to be watered if no rain falls for 3
months!
Pad cactus & Chollas
 Probably
the most common "desert" plant seen in the Southeast is the "Prickly
Pear" (Opuntia sp.) cactus. It features narrow round or oblong shaped
pads which are usually covered with spines. (Deer will think twice about
trying to eat this one!) Prickly Pears come in all different sizes. Some
crawl along the ground, generally remaining less than 1' tall. Others
can reach heights of 6-8' upon maturity! In late spring, Prickly Pears
are covered with 1-2" cup-shaped flowers (usually yellow, although other
colors exist) on the tips of the pads. After flowering, edible,
 maroon-purple
fruits ripen through the summer and fall. When provided with full sun
and well-drained soil these plants are fairly undemanding. Chollas
(also Opuntia sp.) are related to Prickly Pears. They have a central
"trunk" with narrow, spiky "arms" branching outwards from it. Chollas
look like a miniature tree with no leaves. If this description leaves
you baffled, why not stop by our display garden and see them for
yourself? Like the Prickly Pears, Chollas require a sunny, well-drained
site to do well. Most reach heights of 4-8' in our area.
Barrel Cactus
Another interesting drought-lover is the Barrel Cactus.
Although there are several species available, very few have been trialed
in the Southeast. Since Randy’s is always willing to experiment, in 2001
we began offering some of the hardiest species for the first time
ever in the Atlanta area. Our results were largely successful,
and some species have done quite well, so far surviving temperatures in
the mid teens °F with no damage. With adequate drainage, some species
will tolerate temperatures down to 5°F. Be sure to view the different
species we have planted in our Cactus Display Garden to
check on their progress and adaptability to our climate.
On the edge of our property, we have filled a large area
with several types of Yuccas, Agaves, Prickly Pears and more. For your
convenience, we have planted several other drought-tolerant plants which
go well with these Southwestern natives, including groundcovers like
Delosperma ("Hardy Ice Plant"), shrubs like Nerium oleander (Yes, there
are types of Oleander which grow in Atlanta!), and trees like Windmill
Palm and Desert Willow. Be sure to stop by and see it for yourself...we
think you'll be impressed!
Display Garden
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