Cold-Hardy Succulents for the Low Desert

These tough plants can handle temperature fluctuations and freezing cycles

If you know in theSouthwest , you understand how drastically the temperature can vary from day to night . Sometimes the temps can drop 30 to 40 ° F , so findingplantsthat can withstand these dramatic changes is of the essence in create a garden that flourishes . keep in head that there are always special circumstances to every space , we ’ll partake in several judge - and - truecold - dauntless succulentsthat have proven themselves worthy of the name .

see more : Tips for grow Cacti and Succulents in Cold zone

Texas sotol

Let ’s bulge out with a favourite , Texas sotol ( Dasylirion texanum , Zones 7–10 ) , which is a fantastic way to add deepness , grain , and front to your gardens . Texas sotol ( also known as desert spoonful ) is native to Texas and the Chihuahua area of Mexico . The skinny leaf are a beautiful light green with small spikes along the edges . The automobile trunk of the plant is short and typically partially buried in the ground . With leaves that overspread 3 to 5 foot wide , this plant ’s flowers can photograph up to 15 feet gamey . When in bloom , these beautiful livid bloom draw hummingbird . Texas sotol can be used in grouping , as borders , and even in containers . The architectural conception of this succulent can create a sensational ocular impact in a lackluster garden spot . Common sotol ( Dasylirion wheeleri , Zones 6–10 ) is another beautiful mintage with foliation that is more blue - grey than green . It ’s aboriginal to Arizona , New Mexico , and northerly Mexico . A popular use of this plant life is to create sotol , a distilled spirit similar to tequila and less smokey than mezcal .

Hens and chicks

Another family favorite that holds up quite well in cooler temperatures is hens and chicks ( Sempervivumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) . With over 50 different mintage ( not including hybrids ) , you could find just about every color , shape , and size of hen and dame these Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . Hens and chicks can hold out temperature as inhuman as – 30 ° F , giving it the ability to handle the desert ’s cool winter Night . The rosettes of dissimilar hens and chicks can vary in sizing from half an column inch to 6 inch all-encompassing . They make beautiful additions to any walk or garden , specially rock garden . hen and chicks is deer repellent and ( to my surprise when I found out ) is also comestible for humans and can be feed as a winter veggie . plain , hens and chicks is sometimes also referred to as house leeks in Europe for this reason . Due to its ability to hold water , hens and chicks was planted on Edward Thatch roofs by European provincial to help forestall menage fires during lightning storms .

Queen Victoria agave

Our final cold-blooded - hardy proffer is Queen Victoria agave ( Agave victorae - reginae , Zones 9–11 ) . This show - stopper is petite compare to some of its relatives . It hold a rose window made of disconsolate dark-green foliage with white markings and grows 1 to 2 metrical unit high and 18 inches wide . Once established , this plant does not need much H2O . The less you water it , the tight the rosette will be . The more weewee the plant receives , the wider it will splay . This slow grower will finally produce a bloom reach 4 feet in high spirits . This bloom , which creates beautiful reddish - purple flowers , will eventually obliterate the plant , although they can live many year before flowering . Most agave are monocarpic , which mean that they flower only once and then buy the farm . When the plant dies , it typically is replaced by a numeral of small unexampled rose window flora called “ pups . ” Some would argue that agaves are not true monocarpic plant , since they produce pups before dying off . Since Queen Victoria is smaller than many other agave , it is a great choice for tight spots in your garden or for container . Just ensure it has a sunny office and it will bring years of interest to your gardens . Although references show Queen Victoria only fearless to Zone 9 , ours experience very cold temperatures during the wintertime months , include casual snow and daily frost , and they are still thriving .

amazingly , there are many dusty - hardy succulents that boom in the cold month of the Southwest . Local nurseries are a expectant resourcefulness for happen other location - specific option for your garden . We have find that even within Tucson city bound , the temperature can depart 10 ° degree Fahrenheit count on how close or far you are from the foothill . Because of this , there ’s a portion of trial and erroneous belief when it comes to discover what flourish for each individual garden . We are unfluctuating believers that plants do n’t need flowers to make a garden beautiful and full of color . We have it off anything textural , which all of these succulents are . Enjoy the cooler temperatures and keep digging !

— Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a mother - girl couplet who founded Denver Dirty young lady Container Gardening while live on in Denver and have continue their business since moving to Tucson , Arizona .

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‘Ruby Hearts’ hens and chicks

‘Ruby Hearts’ hens and chicks (Sempervivum‘Ruby Hearts’, Zones 4–9) grows alongside hardy ice plants (Delosperma cooperi, Zones 6–10) and heuchera (Heucheracv., Zones 3–8).Photo: Laurel Startzel

Texas sotol