Hardy Tropicals UK

So, as my new desert bed nears completion I have taken delivery of 10 reputedly 'UK hardy' cacti and succulents. Just wondered which of them are worth a go, and which are a no-no as probably don't need to plant them all. It is a well drained, raised bed and I am hoping to cover most in winter to keep dry.

Delosperma cooperii
echinocereus triglochidiatus
echinocereus viridiflorus
opuntia macrorhiza
gymnocalycium gibbosum
aloe aristata
echinocereus baileyi
ferocactus wislizeni
gymnocalycium bruchii
agave utahensis

aloe aristata is hardy at least

You should get away with the opuntia and the agave as well.

Agave utahensis doesn't like too much water, suggest you plant it straight into gravel or give some overhead protection......some pics too please!

Delosperma Cooperii is tough.



Note! Flowers only open in full sunshine and it was cloudy when I took the pic a couple of days ago.

And when the sun came out today.

WOW...that is lovely, especially with the feature plants inbetween. I have some in a pot, I might try planting it out to see if it will spread.

all are but the agave utahensis, the ferocactus and gymnocalycium need protection from the winter wet

Thanks guys - very helpful. Just wondered which of them would you say needs the driest roots? I am going to make a little mound of rocks, and in the top plant something in a pure gritty/gravel substrate?

Gorgeous plant that Delosperma cooperii and have a patch just waiting for it,

I already bought a lovely Gentian blue, a Speedwell, and a Lithodora Heavenly blue. I could not believe I had bought on tuesday amongst those a Delosperma cooperii. I bought it because its similar to the kind I saw in Tenerife three years ago on the crazy golf, it spreads like wildfire..they were orange.
The Delosperma cooperii

This below is the Chaenorhinum originifolium 'Blue dream'.
Ihope your plants do ok Ouraka.

Ok, some pics as we stand...... just waiting to put plants in. I haven't quite decided where each is going. Also bought a big yucca and agave (types escape me at the mo) to make it look a bit more established. I am also thinking of a dwarf palm of some kind (possibly Cham humilis) on the far right to provide a 'transition' between desert scape and normal garden.

Looking good although I am sure you will have to move the rocks around after planting to look more natural. Could you plant a brahea armata as your 'transition' palm, as they also live in desert areas? May need some winter protection though. Most of the less winter hardy agaves can easily be potted up for winter, they do seem to root very easily, not surprising given some of their growing areas.

I've actually put the rocks like that specifically - it is hard to see in that photo but they create a plateau to break up the monotony of flat, red chippings (plus extra height might drain even better) and also wanted to create sort an escarpment in to the small 'pool' that you can just see. In this I am going to put some dark slate chippings, to contrast with the surroundings and almost create the effect of a dry pond bed ..... at least that is the hope.

Brahea armata - will definitely look in to it. Not too much needs winter protection here to be honest so think it would do ok, unless some apocapalytic weather hit my little SE corner!

So - it's finished! Obviously plants need to establish but I'm pretty happy with it. Thanks for all the advice.

Looking good, I am sure you will find yourself 'adding' to it as the season goes on lol. What is the large agave at the back, and please could I see a photo of your a. Utahensis?

Cheers paul