Designing With Spiky Plants

Alone or in groups, they make any space look sharp

I ’m addicted to spike , spears , and swords . I ’m not lecture about medieval weapons ; I ’m talking aboutedgy , architectural plant forms that invigorate gardens withexcitement . Give me a planting to project , from urban verandas to country courtyard , and I just ca n’t resist including a mix of spiky plants likeyuccas , agaves , or prickly pearcacti . These flora always bear , supply salient , structured physique with their narrow-minded leaves , pointy spines , and toothed bound .

Although many gardeners consider spiky plants strictlySouthwestor desert inhabitants , these cheeky beauties are jerk their tender or difficult reputation by evidence to be firm seasonal performer from Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , to Portland , Oregon . Given the right soil , drain , and Lord’s Day picture , many spiky industrial plant are hardier and more adaptable than gardener may call back .

Because spiky plants number in a vast array of forms , grain , and sizes , they can be used to bestow drama just about anywhere . The most successful designs feature small spiky plants in sight or groups and showcase big specimens as focal points , while pair off them all with familiar that have complementary forms and similar ethnical needs .

When designing with spiky plants , especially rosettes ( plants with clustered leave arranged like a rose blossom ) , recite this mantra : “ repeating , repetition , repeat . ” These plants can look out of position without some spiky cohort ; by planting together several of one variety or similar - look specie , you could make the whole creation look purposeful , connect , and a bit more natural . industrial plant can be repeated in a muckle planting or in multiple , smaller grouping throughout an arena or garden . This feeler is particularly effective when using little plant like compressed ocean holly ( Eryngiumplanumand cvs . , USDA Hardiness Zones 5–9 ) and dollhouse yucca ( Yuccaharrimaniae , Zones 5–9 ) .

Repeat smaller spikes, but let larger ones stand alone

To create lines of sight and to direct visitor through the garden , practice large specimens , such as New Zealand flax and sotol , in few numbers or as case-by-case focal full stop . I like to do this by placing large , bold works at the end of a path . I also present tidy plants at corners to disturb or decrease the distance between sight lines , which keep back the garden from being predictable and provides surprises with each turn . In small outer space , such as patios and balcony , large specimen make the perfect street corner focal points . Their modern , clean look enhances the opinion and makes a small area seem bigger and more intriguing — just as an oversize objet d’art of furniture does in a little room .

Fine-textured plants make great bedfellows

Whether you are using spiky plants in groups or displaying them as focal points , pay attention to their neighbour . strain to debar dueling bold cast and textures that compete for aid , like a bristled pear cactus or agave next to your favorite peony ( Paeoniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) . Instead , embark on merely and make drama by combining spiky plants with soft , contrasting fine grain and loose pattern , like those of ornamental grasses or artemisia ( Artemisiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . Another trick is to establish harmony by choosing companions with interchangeable characteristic , like bluish gray color , fluid - cut leaf , or starburst class .

Perhaps the well-to-do way to design with spiky works is to use them as the overall theme for a bed or garden room . They provide an exotic looking at , which can be rounded out and foreground with the unnoticeable forms of small gage and clunking plants , such as sedum ( Sedumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) or vaulting horse wheat ( Eriogonumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–11 ) , and shrub , such as dwarf conifers , Apache feather ( Fallugia paradoxa , Zones 5–10 ) , or Japanese holly ( Ilexcrenataand cvs . , Zones 5–8 ) .

Plants that get to the point

Prickly pear cacti(Opuntiaspp . and cvs.)Zones:4–11No give-and-take about spiky plant life would be ended without prickly pear cacti . As with yuccas and agaves , the choices from this genus are nearly endless . Often displaying burry pads that resemble a castor ’s empennage , these plants stand up from 6 column inch to 48 in tall .

Agaves(Agavespp . and cvs.)Zones:6–11Agaves are the poster shaver of the spiky works world . While a surprising number survive in cold clime , you may turn less - frost - fearless mintage in containers and move them inside when the cold is too serious . Agaves often run around steel gloomy foliage and range anywhere from 1 foot to 12 foot magniloquent .

New Zealand flaxes(Phormiumspp . and cvs.)Zones:8–11The colorful , linear leaf of New Zealand flax are certain to leave an mental picture on any nurseryman . Plants dart up 2 fundament to 12 foundation tall as they display their bronze , green , and sometimes cream - variegated foliage .

Sea hollies(Eryngiumspp . and cvs.)Zones:3–11For something a little different , look to ocean hollies to add some nada . Not only do they come in a vast array of forms and textures , but they also do n’t mind torpid ground . Plants can grow from 6 inches to 48 inches tall and exude the most spikiness when in blossom .

Sotols(Dasylirionspp.)Zones:8–11Sotols achieve from 3 feet to 8 feet magniloquent . Smaller plant are expectant get in masses , while large plants create an unbelievable ambience as specimens . The narrow farewell of these plants look striking when waving in the breeze and backlit .

Hesperaloes(Hesperaloespp . and cvs.)Zones:6–11Closely concern to agaves , hesperaloes fun minute , almost grasslike leaves . spring up 1½ feet to 5 metrical unit tall , these plants are suitable for bed and containers . They attract hummingbirds in summertime with their red coral - hued and icteric blossom .

Yuccas(Yuccaspp . and cvs.)Zones:4–11Yucca is a prominent genus with many fabulous industrial plant to pick out from . Its starburst forms range from 12 - in - tall spheres to 10 - foot - tall trunked specimens . While their lance - shaped leaves normally have a signature of risque - grey-headed , some varieties offer variegate foliage .

Pay attention to conditions when siting your spikes

Attention to get need is , of grade , an important part of garden with spiky plants . Though most coinage prefer full sun or a moment of afternoon subtlety in the hottest mood , a surprising turn of spiky plants will tolerate partial shade . Many specie are native to drier home ground and have adapt their bod to preserve water . They do appreciate , however , occasional H2O in summer . Although some spiky plants will handle damp dirt , a effective rule of thumb is to put up all spikes with sharp drain ( dirt that does not retain much wet and drains quick ) . I amend planting layer with pumice stone , perlite , gravel , or sand . This helps with drainage in all but heavy soils ( in the latter , these ingredient end up resemble an adobe brick ) .

If you do garden in heavy soil , study growing spiky plant in containers , where you have more control over the soil conditions . Because container are portable , they also provide you to experiment with your planting strategy . Be cognisant , however , that plant in container do n’t maturate as great because stem blank is limited . More care to H2O needs is also required , and if you are interested about hardiness , remember to deduct a zone from the plant ’s expected Robert Lee Frost hardiness . works in container are , of course , more susceptible to frigid temperatures .

particular tender plant can be stored in a protected location to prolong them through the winter . get potted plants indoors from the cold and place them in a greenhouse , cellar , or sunroom , or even on the living - elbow room floor . Plants enjoying indoor warmth benefit from brilliant light and are best kept on the wry side to minimize any new increase . Once the menace of frosty temperatures has ceased in spring , plants can be moved back outdoors . Make the transition gradual , placing your infant in the shade for a while , slowly queer them to a full - sunshine placement .

In country where plants are borderline hardy and leave in the ground , you may need to provide temporary protection from time to time . For heavy winter precipitation , a common danger , consider a piddle - cast cover such as a simple , clear umbrella or a Plexiglas roof — a method acting often used in rock ‘n’ roll garden — for pocket-sized specimen . When temperatures in brief levitate on the inhuman side , practice sure-enough blanket , towels , mainsheet , or even burlap as temporary cover .

For the best outcome with your spiky plants , learn as much as possible about your choices , especially their margin for stale , drouth , brightness , and dirt types . Do n’t be afraid to fight the envelope . brave gardeners are learning that these plant can grow in and add hullabaloo to the garden in the least expected place .

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several spiky plants combined with others

Spiky plants come in many shapes and sizes. More-compact growers, such as prickly pear cactus (Opuntiaphaeacantha, Zones 6–11), are well suited for small plantings and work well in groupings.Photo: Jennifer Benner

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giant yucca at the end of a path

Garden beacons lead the way. When sited at the end of a path, giant yucca (Yucca elephantipes‘Variegata’, Zone 11) draws in visitors and provides a hint of mystery as it veils the view behind it.Photo: Susan A. Roth

mescal paired with airy plants and a water feature