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Octopus Garden

Succulent Garden Design Ideas

For Poolside, Patio and Other Outdoor Living Spaces
succulent undersea garden san diego botanic garden

A dark-red aloe looks like an octopus.

Photo by Lisa Hallett Taylor
Succulents in a symphony of colors, shapes, sizes and textures make this a stunning landscape design near a pool or any outdoor space that can sustain succulents. You're more likely to find residential swimming pools in arid and warm-weather areas like Arizona, California, Florida and regions that enjoy Mediterranean-style climates. Succulents are perfect for areas that experience low rainfall or drought, as they have low irrigation requirements.

That show-stopping red succulent in the center, foreground, is Aloe cameronii. If located in a spot where it gets full sun, the ordinarily green Aloe cameronii will turn this lovely shade of cranberry red. Its deep, fiery red pops out even more when contrasted with succulents in shades of chartreuse or gray/blue-green.

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