WALL PLANTERS

Much as I would love to have some of those gorgeous window boxes I see in magazines, this is Texas. Wall planters and hanging baskets can dry up in seconds.

Last year I found the answer to what to plant here on this east facing wall. A. desmettiana 'variegata' and a trailing Mexican portulaca. It is the perfect spot for the agave which prefers some shade during the afternoon. Still the planter dries out very quickly and still requires some vigilance about watering.

I still would love to have an id on this plant. I have had it for several years, wintering over in the greenhouse. It has a very narrow leaf much smaller than any other portulaca. I only recall that when I bought it at BSN the word 'Mexican' was in the name. It is not like the ones sold at the nurseries by virtue of the leaf structure. Must be some kind of sport. It is so easy to root from cuttings just placed in the soil and very undemanding.

My second success is at the front gate. The cone shaped planter is planted with Huernia schneideriana.
No sun reaches the gate and that is just how the plant likes it.

The stems bear small purple burgundy flowers, usually in clusters. Another easily rooted plant. I have mentioned more than once that I am searching for a reasonably priced head pot. This plant would make a perfect medusa.