Some of the boldest and most interesting plants forms that are becoming popular in Austin, Texas area landscapes are Cactus, Yuccas and Agaves. These plants are often referred to generally by the public as ‘cactus’.  The Austin Cactus and Succulent Society has information about how to care for these plants in our area.

Attributes of this plant type include: a bold striking shape/form, subtle color of the leaves, drought tolerance, interesting flowers and minimum maintenance.  Undesirable characteristics may include thorny leaf margins and intimidating spikes (should not be used in yards where small children and pets romp around), and depending on the species, low tolerance to shady areas and low winter temperatures.

Here at Perfect Lawns and Landworks of Austin our Landscape Architects and Landscape Designers love to employ these plants in xeriscape and sustainable gardens. They are used as focal points in the landscape; as a contrast to the more conventional rounded shrubs and groundcovers; as a potted specimen; as a complement to the Southwestern/Mexican style homes and gardens; and even as an ornamental in the landscapes of our ‘Tuscan ‘ style residences (Agaves and Yuccas have been popular in Italy and Spain for hundreds of years).

Typically these plants require lots of sun, a well-drained bed, lots of room to grow and no over-watering. Deer usually avoid these plants, the exception being the browsing sometimes of the fresh leaves and flower stalks of some yuccas.

Favorite Perfect Lawns and Landworks of Austin agaves include: Century Plant, Blue Agave, Parry’s  Agave , Squid Agave and Queen Victoria Agave.

Yuccas to consider in Central Texas and Austin include: Red Yucca, Twistleaf yucca, Paleleaf Yucca, Softleaf Yucca, Thompson’s Yucca and Spanish Dagger Yucca.

Cactus (prickly pear) to use: Old Mexico Prickly Pear and Purple Prickly Pear. Visit your local nursery to discover other possible choices of this plant. Be sure to inquire about eventual mature size and cold tolerance. Also, asknursery staff if the stock is nursery grown and not pilfered from the wild, for example National Parks!

Other plants that have an affinity with the ones mentioned above that we use in the Central Texas residential landscape are Sotols and Nolinas and Aloes.

The water-wise gardener will find agaves, yuccas and cactus a fascinating and low maintenance inclusion in the residential landscape.