Over the last few years, my friend Kyle has created a garden that is one of a kind. It’s beautifully laid out, with rock-lined mounds full of choice plants that are lovingly cared for. I’ve written about Kyle’s garden before (here, here, here, here, and here), but it’s been seven months since my last post. That may not seem like a long time, but Kyle is the most active gardener I know, and his garden is constantly evolving. High time for an update!
Kyle is a geologist by profession, and he loves rocks. It comes as no surprise that his garden is full of them – rocks used to create the infrastructure as well as rocks used ornamentally. He thinks that he’s brought in at least 6,000 pounds of rocks, probably more. Inspired by Kyle, I’ve been adding more rocks to my own garden, but whenever I visit him, I realize that I still need a lot more.
As you look at the photos below, and particularly Kyle’s backyard in part 2 of this post (coming soon), you’ll see that virtually all succulents are in mounds, i.e. raised off the ground. When Kyle first started his garden in 2018, he realized quickly that most plants don’t thrive in the silty clay soil typical of his neighborhood. After some trial and error, he began to make mounds consisting of 40-50% garden mix and 50-60% inorganic materials, initially lava fines, later switching to 5/16" lava rock. All materials are sourced from a local rock yard. The addition of lava rock ensures sharp drainage while the garden mix provides the nutrients plants need for healthy growth. Succulents aren’t big feeders, but a fertilizer boost allows them to get bigger faster.
Creating mounds involves extra work at the beginning, but the results are immediate and dramatic, as you can see everywhere you look in Kyle’s garden. If you’re thinking of going this route in your own garden, don’t be intimidated: Not every mound has to be Mount Everest. Even six or eight inches of height make a difference.
The first time I visited Kyle’s garden, in July of 2022, he had just started converting the front lawn into a succulent garden:
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| July 2002 |
Look at the same spot now:
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| November 2024 |
Kyle is keeping what lawn is left to ensure the two trees in his front yard receive enough water. They wouldn’t if the entire front yard was low-water plants.
There are so many impeccably grown plants in the front yard, it would take forever to show them all. Below are just a few examples. Notice how harmoniously the plants are paired with the rocks.
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| Agave titanota |
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| The yellow flowers are from a recently planted desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata). The relatively rigid leaves of the Hesperaloe parviflora in front of the desert marigold are great supports for the flower stems that otherwise tend to droop. Kyle says this was an accidental pairing which he now loves. |
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| Agave ‘Kichijokan’ |
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| Echinopsis and dyckia |
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| Gymnocalycium saglionis |
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| ×Mangave ‘Tooth Fairy’ with Ruschia lineolata ‘Nana’ behind it. This mat-forming groundcover in the iceplant family stays low (no more than 2" tall) and in the spring becomes a carpet of white flowers with a prominent magenta midstripe. According to the San Marcos Growers website, it can handle desert temperatures up to 120°F with no damage! |
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| Ferocactus viridescens and Dudleya brittonii |
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| Agave titanota ‘Lion’s Mane’ |
You may have noticed that plants are often tucked into narrow pockets between two rocks, either on top or on the side. That’s not by accident. In nature, many succulents grow on cliffs, sometimes at crazy angles. The Hechtia argentea below is a particularly striking example; it’s planted almost vertically:
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| Look at the “cliff face” bottom right |
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| Hechtia argentea sporting its glorious winter color |
You’ll see many more examples of this technique in my upcoming post about Kyle’s backyard.
The succulent mounds on either side of the front lawn extend up to the house:
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| ×Mangave ‘Falling Waters’, Agave desmetiana, and ×Mangave ‘Mission to Mars’ |
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| Agave attenuata and Agave parryi var. truncata |
Right in front of the house, there’s a mix of in-ground shrubs and potted succulents.
Kyle’s 1946 Ford pickup is permanently parked in the side yard on the south side of the house:
The truck bed serves as a greenhouse for smaller plants and seedlings:
Just past the truck is the gate to the backyard:
Check back in a few days for a tour of Kyle’s backyard. If you liked what you saw above, you’ll absolutely love what’s behind this gate.
OTHER POSTS ABOUT KYLE’S GARDEN
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Yet another lesson that one can never, ever have enough rocks! Kyle's ever-evolving succulent garden is a marvel to behold. I was struck between the eyes by the question as to why I haven't planted Ruschia 'Nana' in the succulent bed I renovated earlier this year?! I planted Ruschia in another area last year, which has since filled in nicely, at least in some areas, and it's the obvious alternative to the gravel I've off and on contemplated adding. Another project to put on my very long list.
ReplyDeleteKyle is an artist for sure. I enjoyed the opportunity to see him in action ! The truck is so so cool. A genius move to turn a piece of vintage equipment into a greenhouse. Looking forward to the back garden .
ReplyDeleteWow, "spectacular" really is the right word for it! I think if I lived further west I would add more succulents, because they are so beautiful and fascinating. I have a few outdoors, and I have some in pots that I keep inside. Some are native even here in the Midwest. But a collection like that is incredible! Thanks for sharing!
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