Southwest Garden and Rock Stream

Common name:Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush
Botanical name:Portulacaria afra

This interesting succulent has an irregular growth habit. Depending on pruning and cold, Elephant's Food can be grown as a groundcover or shrub to 12' tall and wide. Plants work very well in containers, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It is drought tolerant but needs some protection from frost. It does best with some shade in most arid climates; otherwise, it tolerates full sun. This plant is a native of South Africa.

Common name:Golden Barrel Cactus
Botanical name:Echinocactus grusonii

Golden Barrel Cactus has a globe shaped trunk and vertical ribs lined with thick rows of golden spines. It grows slowly to 3' tall. It looks handsome in containers. It can thrive in full sun but prefers some shade in low desert. This cactus prefers well drained soil and rots with poor drainage.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.

Integrated Pest Management:

Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.