Some of these Mexican natives feel to the touch like a cross between felt and velvet. What's not to love? Echeverias are succulent perennials; come in lovely greens, pinks, reds and yellows; are wonderful for rock gardens and are drought tolerant. They'd also be a nice addition to planters near your pool or spa, mixed in with other succulents and some ornamental grasses for an attractive, low-maintenance display. In the right zones (mostly southwestern) they can be grown as shrubs, reaching a height of up to 2 feet (60 cm), with 4-inch-long leaves.

