Top 34 Rock Garden Plants - Plus Design Ideas & Tips

Updated: November 25, 2024

Top 34 Rock Garden Plants & Design Ideas - Everything You Need to Know!

Welcome to the world of rock gardens, where plants and rocks become the heroes of your landscape! If you're looking for an innovative and stunning way to transform your outdoor space, then rock garden plants are here to dazzle you with their unrivaled beauty. Not only do they add a touch of natural elegance, but they also solve the eternal water shortage by embracing drought-tolerant plants that thrive against all odds.

So, whether you're an avid gardener seeking a low-maintenance small rock garden ideas or simply someone who appreciates the allure of these hardened wonders, join us today as we dig deep into the mesmerizing world of rock garden design and unveil the best plants for your rock garden. Get ready for jaw-dropping inspiration and sustainable solutions like never before!

What is a Rock Garden?

A rock garden, also known as a rockery garden, desert landscape or alpine garden, is a creative way to add depth and dimension to your garden in an environmentally friendly way. Using an attractive arrangement of drought tolerant plants, rocks, pebbles, boulders, or gravel, to act as a substitute for lawns, you can outline or separate different areas like walkways and plant beds.

Benefits of Having a Low-maintenance Rock Garden

One of the main reasons for creating a rock garden is its numerous benefits. Not only are they visually appealing, but also low-maintenance and eco-friendly. In this section, we will discuss the top benefits of having a rock garden in your landscape.

Low Maintenance: Succulents and other drought-tolerant plants are your best easy to care for, low-watering option for small and large rock gardens; they add a touch of color and texture to your garden and thrive best in well-drained soil.

Unlike traditional gardens that need regular watering, weeding, and pruning, a rock garden can thrive without much attention.

Drought Resistant & Drought Tolerant Plants Are Our Favorite Choices: The King of drought resistant plants are Succulents, and they are known for their ability to store water in their leaves, making them our top pick for an easy to care for rock garden.

In addition to succulents, there are also many other types of drought tolerant plants that have adapted to thrive in a rockery garden, such as cacti and certain varieties of grasses.

Versatile Design & Aesthetically pleasing: Rock gardening is like a creative adventure that you can customize to your liking. You can go for a low-maintenance small rock garden idea with cute little flowers in tiny pots, or you can go all out and create this epic masterpiece that looks like a rocky cliff with a ton of stunning plants. A well-designed rock garden enhances outdoor spaces with texture and beauty, creating a unique focal point. The combination of rocks, stones, and plants creates a visually stunning landscape, evoking tranquility, Zen-like simplicity (Japanese rock garden), or a wild, natural look.

Doesn't require an expensive irrigation system: Desert-type rock gardens featuring plants like cacti, succulents, and certain drought-tolerant grasses are perfect for water-conscious gardeners. These plants are adapted to thrive in dry conditions and can survive with infrequent watering, making them ideal for rock gardens without elaborate irrigation systems. In fact, overwatering can be harmful to these plants, so it's essential to water them sparingly, about every 2-3 weeks, or even less frequently depending on the specific plant species and climate. However, most alpine rock gardens, which typically feature plants adapted to cooler, wetter climates, require more frequent watering.

Pro Tip
To create a successful rock garden, choose plants that are well-suited for your USDA Hardiness zone, and look for drought-resistant and drought-tolerant varieties in order to create a low maintenance and environmentally friendly rock garden. Additionally, incorporating different sizes and shapes of plants and rocks can help create depth and visual appeal in your rock garden.

Increases Your Property Value: Having a rock garden can definitely increase the value of your property. A well-designed, environmentally friendly garden can have a positive impact on property value. Rock gardens are low-maintenance and can add a unique and attractive feature to your outdoor space. Plus, they can help conserve water and create a sustainable landscape. It's a win-win!

Enhances Soil Erosion Control: Adding a rock garden to your yard can help prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the ground and protecting it from wind and rain.

Enhances Wildlife Habitat: Rock gardens attract various types of wildlife such as birds, butterflies, and bees which help with pollination and add beauty to your outdoor space.

SLIDESHOW GALLERY - Inspirational Rock Gardens ideas with Plant Names

Here are some inspirational Rock Garden Design Pictures with the plant names. Whether you're seeking ideas for incorporating unique rock formations or exploring different plant combinations, these rock garden pictures offer a wealth of design possibilities.

The image features a Blue Chalk Stick plant on the right side, a vibrant Aeonium Sunburst on the left side, and a fiery Fire Stick Cactus in the back. These plants showcase vibrant colors and striking shapes, creating a dynamic focal point that is sure to catch the eye of any passerby.
The image depicts a blue chalk stick plant on the left and right sides, a foxtail agave plant in the middle, and a Canary Aeonium in the front. Together, these plants can provide a visually appealing and harmonious look to your landscaping.
With the variegated foxtail's striped leaves on the back left side, the soft arching leaves of the foxtail agave on the back right side, and the blue-green leaves of the Agave blue glow at the front, they blend together to form a picturesque and balanced scene in a garden or outdoor setting. This combination of plants can give a sense of unity and beauty to the overall landscape.
The image showcases a modern landscape design with a row of white-striped century plants along a pathway, and a dense mat of blue-gray foliage from the Blue Chalk Stick as a ground cover. The plants are surrounded by small pebbles or rocks, creating a visually appealing contrast of clean lines, simple shapes, and contrasting colors, resulting in a serene and contemporary outdoor space.
The image features a stunning landscape design featuring a majestic Agave "Blue Glow" with its powdery blue-gray leaves, a statuesque Foxtail agave plant behind it, and Blue Chalk Sticks along the borders, with their trailing stems and pencil-like leaves weaving through the surrounding rocks and pebbles. The design adds a dramatic element to the scene.
At the forefront, the design features a sleek Snake Plant with upright leaves, while the Candelabra cactus stands tall with blue-gray, cylindrical segments, creating a dramatic and sculptural presence in the background. The contrasting shapes and textures of the snake plant and euphorbia, set against the natural backdrop of rocks and pebbles, create a visually appealing and modern landscape design that exudes sophistication and serenity.
The image depicts a stunning landscape featuring a large pot planted with Aeonium atropurpureum in a back row, its deep purple leaves a dramatic contrast to the bright blue blooms of the nearby Blue Chalk Sticks. The design features a large pot adding warmth and an organic touch, while the subtle purple and blue hues create harmony.
The image depicts a beautiful and meticulously designed landscape, featuring a row of five striking succulent plants, each carefully selected and arranged to create a visually stunning sequence. The elephant bush plant, Blue chalk sticks, Agave blue glow, Canary aeonium, and variegated foxtail agave are all featured in a series of plants that create a striking contrast. Throughout the row, small rocks and pebbles are carefully arranged to create a natural, organic look that complements the beauty of the succulents.
The image above depicts a stunning visual treat that awaits passersby outside the building, where a beautiful bonsai Gollum Jade takes center stage, followed by a variegated snake plant along the next pillar, its upright leaves with creamy yellow edges adding a pop of color and texture to the scene. The contrasting shapes and hues create a beautiful and harmonious visual balance, making this a picturesque spot that captivates the attention of anyone passing by, inviting them to pause and appreciate the beauty of nature.
In the center of the ground, a cluster of rocks and pebbles creates a natural focal point, drawing the eye inward. The landscape features elephant bush plants on each side of the rocks, a Artichoke agave at the front, a white-striped century plant at the opposite side, and a playful foxtail agave at the back. The plants create a harmonious and visually appealing environment.
The Agave blue glow is prominent in the foreground, while a Rainbow bush plant forms a lush carpet behind it. A cluster of Foxtail agave adds a playful touch with striped leaves and slender stems curling outward in a fox-like shape. In the background, a layer of rocks and pebbles adds a natural, organic element to the landscape, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality. The overall effect is a stunning display of color, texture, and form that showcases the unique beauty of succulent plants in a landscape setting.
Along the wall, a row of striking succulent plants with rocks or pebbles creates a stunning display of color and texture. The Aeonium cyclops, with its deep purple and green leaves, adds a bold touch, while the Canary Aeonium, with its delicate green leaves, provides a bright contrast. As passersby walk by, they can't help but be drawn in by the beauty of this succulent display, which adds a touch of warmth and personality to the landscape.
As you stroll along the road, your eyes are drawn to a stunning landscape that showcases a beautiful arrangement of succulent plants. The Aloe vera plant provides a soothing balm in the front, the Agave blue flame on the left, the Aeonium sunburst with bright yellow leaves in the back, the Blue chalk stick adds a touch of sophistication as a ground cover at the back side, and the Firestick cactus adds a dramatic pop of color. The display of succulent plants captivates passersby, adding warmth, personality, and beauty to the landscape.
As you stroll along the road, your eyes are drawn to a stunning landscape that showcases a beautiful arrangement of succulent plants. The Aloe vera plant provides a soothing balm in the front, the Agave blue flame on the left, the Aeonium sunburst with bright yellow leaves in the back, the Blue chalk stick adds a touch of sophistication as a ground cover at the back side, and the Firestick cactus adds a dramatic pop of color. The display of succulent plants captivates passersby, adding warmth, personality, and beauty to the landscape.
The landscaping features a striking composition of plants, starting with the tall, slender Pencil Cactus on the left, followed by the dramatic, dark rosettes of Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. Next, the Agave 'Blue Glow' stands out with its spiky, blue-green leaves edged in orange, while the Blue Chalk Sticks add a soft, powdery blue touch with their cascading foliage. Completing the arrangement, the compact Aloe 'Blue Elf' brings a soothing blue-green hue, creating a harmonious and visually captivating display.
The landscaping beauty unfolds with a striking ground cover of blue chalk sticks, their vibrant blue hues creating a serene and textured base. Interspersed among this captivating carpet are the graceful foxtail agaves, their sculptural forms adding a touch of elegance. Surrounding this enchanting scene is a wall mirror, which reflects and amplifies the colors and textures, creating an illusion of greater depth and enhancing the overall visual appeal.
The garden features a striking Aeonium zwartkop with dark rosettes along yellow flowers and a towering variegated century plant with bold, striped leaves, adding elegance and mystery. The interplay of the rich hues of the Aeonium with the vibrant patterns of the century plant enhances the overall allure, creating a visually stunning and dynamic landscape that is sure to captivate any passerby.
In a beautifully landscaped garden, the Agave Blue Glow stands out with its vibrant blue-green leaves, while the Canary Aeonium adds a cheerful yellow-green color. The variegated foxtail Agave, with its elegant, arching leaves, creates a mesmerizing contrast, making the scene a visually stunning sight. This arrangement not only showcases the unique beauty of each plant but also creates a harmonious and visually stunning display that captivates every passerby.
The image showcases a beautiful arrangement of Aloe vera in the center, Aeonium sunburst towards the front side, Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' towards the left, and Agave blue flame at the back. This harmonious blend of colors and textures creates a visually captivating landscape that enhances the beauty of any garden space.
The image features a stunning arrangement of Echeveria afterglow, Echeveria agavoides red edge, and Echeveria black prince nestled among an assortment of smooth rocks and pebbles. The rocks and pebbles not only add a natural element to the scene but also enhance the overall beauty, making it a captivating display for any passerby to admire.
The landscape features a harmonious blend of succulents, with the Aloe Vera plant with yellow blooms in the front row and Agave 'Blue Flame' on the backside. The Aeonium 'Sunburst' in the background adds a warm, golden color contrast to the structured succulents in the foreground, creating a stunning visual experience. Together, these plants create a breathtaking display of texture, color, and form, elevating the entire landscape to new heights of beauty and sophistication.
The landscape features a striking border of succulents, featuring electric blue Blue Chalk Sticks and orange-red Firesticks cactus in perfect harmony. The rustic wooden border creates a visually stunning display, inviting passersby to admire their beauty. The combination of blue and orange hues creates a vibrant and engaging work of art, elevating the landscape and enhancing the beauty of the outdoor space, enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal.
This stunning succulent landscape showcases a masterful combination of textures and colors, including the Aeonium 'Zwartkop' with deep purple rosettes, while the Agave 'Blue Glow' stands tall with powdery blue leaves. At ground level, Blue Chalk Sticks creates a low-maintenance ground cover, while the orange-red Firesticks cactus adds a playful touch with its orange-red cactus within a decorative bag. The strategically placed rocks and large stones in the front of the landscape add depth and duty, inviting passersby to appreciate the beauty of this succulent tapestry.
This serene and harmonious landscape features Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' plants with their upright, white-margined leaves, while Aeonium 'Zwartkop' plants at the back create a dramatic backdrop with deep purple, almost black rosettes, adding a sense of mystery and elegance to the scene. The contrasting colors and textures of these two succulent species, paired with rustic rocks and stones, create a visually stunning display that adds beauty and sophistication to the landscape.
In this picture, you can see the Aeonium haworthii green rosettes and the Aeonium zwartkop dark purple to black rosettes creating a visually striking contrast against the rocks or small stones. This combination adds texture and depth to the landscaping design, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal.
The landscape features a vibrant and dynamic arrangement of succulents, including the fiery orange-red Firesticks cactus, the Variegated Foxtail Agave, Asparagus meyersii, and Pigs Ears succulents. The arrangement adds color, texture, and whimsy to the scene. Together, these succulents create a captivating display that adds beauty, energy, and joy to the landscape, making it a true showstopper for passersby.
This breathtaking landscape features a stunning combination of succulents, perfectly harmonized to create a visually striking display. The 'Blue Chalk Sticks' create a serene carpet with powdery blue stems and leaves, while the Foxtail Agave adds a dramatic touch with pale green leaves with fuzzy tips curving upwards like a fox's tail. The blue and green hues blend together, creating a sense of calmness and serenity, making this scene a true masterpiece of succulent design.
The landscape showcases a stunning display of succulents, including the Trailing Jade, which from a planter with delicate stems and rounded leaves, and the Golden Barrel Cactus, which adds color and texture with its bright yellow spines and sphere shape. The trailing jade around a cactus creates a sense of movement and energy, drawing passersby to admire its beauty.
This stunning landscape features a beautiful pairing of succulents with Euphorbia ingens, a towering plant with smooth grey-green stems, stands tall, while Crassula ovata undulatifolia adds softness and elegance with its rounded leaves. As the two succulents blend together, they create a sense of harmony and balance, making this scene a true masterpiece of succulent design.
The image features a captivating blend of Euphorbia ingens, Foxtail agave, rosemary, rainbow bush plant, and Aechmea cylindrata 'blue cone,' all elegantly arranged amidst a bed of rocks and pebbles. Together, these elements create a harmonious and visually stunning landscape that invites admiration from passersby, enhancing the beauty of the space with its diverse textures and colors.
The image features a stunning display of variegated African Candelabra, Indian Comb Cactus, and Crassula ovata, all artfully arranged among smooth rocks and pebbles. This carefully curated landscape not only beautifies the space but also showcases the diverse beauty of these resilient plants.
The image features a captivating arrangement of the Golden Barrel Cactus, which stands out with its vibrant yellow spines, while the Botany Bay Jade and Gollum Jade plants add depth and texture. The Aloe cameronii and Aloe vaombe complete the harmonious composition. This thoughtfully arranged scene captivates the eye and enhances the natural beauty of the surroundings, inviting admiration and delight from all who pass by.
The image showcases a stunning landscape arrangement with a blend of rocks or stones, enhancing its natural aesthetic and providing a harmonious, low-maintenance ground cover. In the center stands the stately Totem Pole Cactus, its tall, columnar structure providing a striking vertical element. Flanking it, the Aeonium haworthii offers a contrasting softness with its rosette-shaped leaves, their edges delicately tinged with red. On the other side, the majestic Mexican Fence Post Cactus adds to the architectural appeal, its robust, ribbed columns creating a sense of stability and strength.
The image showcases a stunning arrangement of the Euphorbia ingens standing majestically, while the Aeonium zwartkop deep rosettes add mystery and elegance. The Ruby Slipper Succulent vibrant red leaves contrast with the greenery, while the Butterfly Agave Potatorum delicate form adds balance. The small stones scattered throughout the arrangement enhance the plants' colors and textures and create a natural, harmonious setting, inviting passersby to appreciate the landscape's intricate beauty.
This breathtaking succulent landscape is a vibrant tapestry of colors, textures, and forms, featuring a stunning array of Echeveria species, Graptoveria varieties, and Graptopetalum plants. The succulents are carefully arranged to create a visually striking display, with each plant showcasing its unique rosettes, leaves, and stems. The carefully placed stones create a sense of movement, while the succulents spill over the rocks, highlighting their intricate details and subtle color variations. This captivating display is a true showstopper.
The image features a stunning desert landscape that is a true testament to the beauty of drought-tolerant gardening. The Mexican fence post cactus dominates the foreground, creating a vertical contrast against the Jade plant with delicate white flowers. Euphorbia ingens stands proudly, adding grandeur. The vibrant Aloe arborescence, with fiery red blooms, adds dynamic color to the scene. The landscape features a diverse array of cacti and succulents, showcasing their resilience and diversity, and enhancing their aesthetic appeal to passersby.
Picture this: a beautiful rock garden with plants nestled among small stones in your backyard, creating a mesmerizing and breathtaking oasis that you'll love to spend time in. The Euphorbia ingens, a tall and striking plant, would add grandeur to the scene, while the foxtail agave and century plant would create a captivating focal point, and the Euphorbia trigona rubra would bring vibrant color.
Imagine a beautiful bed of colorful prairie flowers, attracting insects and butterflies, in the midst of an urban environment. The gravel mulch adds a unique touch, and those large boulders at the corners create a sense of structure. With plants like Setaceum, Alopecuroides, Pinus mugo, Chamaecyparissus, Heuchera americana, Santolina, and Lavandula angustifolia, it must be a vibrant and fragrant oasis.
Imagine a stunning rock garden filled with plants nestled among rocks and pebbles, creating a breathtaking sight that passersby will admire. The foxtail agave adds drama with its spiky leaves, while the Agave blue glow brings a cool, calming vibe. The blue chalk sticks create a lovely ground cover with their slender, bluish-gray leaves.

Designing Your Rock Garden: Tips and Tricks

Designing a rock garden can be a fun and rewarding project. Not only does it add visual interest to your outdoor space, but it also requires less maintenance compared to traditional gardens. With the right rock garden ideas, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance landscape that will enhance the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space.

1. Choose the Right Location

The location of your rock garden is crucial as it affects not only its appearance but also its functionality. The below mentioned plants for a rockery garden thrives in well-drained soil and full sun for at least 6 hours a day, so choose an area that receives ample sunlight throughout the day and has good drainage. Avoid placing your rock garden near large trees or shrubs as their roots may interfere with plant growth.

2. Plan Your Design

Before you start digging and planting, it's essential to plan out your rock garden design on paper or use landscaping software if available. For inspiration, check out the other professionally designed rock garden landscapes listed below.

This will help you visualize how different plant arrangements will look and give you a better idea of what materials you'll need. Consider incorporating different levels or slopes into your design for added interest.

3. Incorporating Color and Texture in Your Design

When it comes to designing your own little slice of paradise, it's all about creating focal points that catch the eye and draw attention.

Mixing different sizes and shapes of rocks can add depth and dimension to your space.

It's like creating a visual symphony with varying heights and textures that harmoniously blend together.

Experimenting with different combinations of colors and textures can help you achieve the desired aesthetic for your design project.

This technique can also help break up the monotony of a single rock size or shape, creating a more dynamic and visually interesting landscape.

4. Plan for Varied Heights & Consider Plant Placement

One mistake often made when designing a rock garden is using plants that are all similar in height. This results in a flat and uninteresting look overall. Select plants based on size and growth pattern, placing taller ones at the back and smaller ones at the front, and grouping plants with similar light requirements for maintenance.

5. Select Contrasting Types of Rocks to Create a Great Look for Your Rockery Garden

When it comes to selecting rocks for your rockery garden, you have a variety of options to choose from.

Gravel is great for creating a textured and permeable surface, while crushed stone can add a rustic and natural look.

River rocks, with their smooth and rounded shape, can create a soothing and serene atmosphere.

Lava rocks, on the other hand, offer a unique touch with their dark color and porous texture.

Fieldstone, with its irregular shape, adds an authentic and timeless feel.

To create a visually appealing and dynamic rock garden, use large and medium-sized boulders as focal points, ensuring a statement.

6. Select Appropriate Plants

Below you will find our Top 34 drought-tolerant rock garden plants to help you create an amazing rock garden at your home. Selecting suitable plants for rock gardens is crucial for successful gardening due to harsh conditions and limited soil. Use drought-resistant plants like succulents and alpines, while native plants thrive in their natural environment without much maintenance and attract local wildlife like butterflies and birds.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Rock Garden Our Top 34 Best Choices

The idea of rock gardening as synonymous with alpine gardening has become more relaxed in recent years, with new gardens featuring species like cacti, succulents, Mediterranean plants, and ephemeral woodland plants. In California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida, cacti and succulents are mostly used in rock gardens, as they are the best drought-tolerant plants.

Below, all our choices are low water, so you don't need an irrigation system, you just need to water your garden every 2- or 3-weeks during summer and less during the winter. Below our Rock Garden Plant Guide, you will find how to care for your rock garden and other helpful tips to ensure the success of your rock garden.

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Top 34 Rock Garden Plants & Design Ideas - Everything You Need to Know!

What is a Rock Garden?

Benefits of Having a Low-maintenance Rock Garden

Pro Tip

SLIDESHOW GALLERY - Inspirational Rock Gardens ideas with Plant Names

Designing Your Rock Garden: Tips and Tricks

1. Choose the Right Location

2. Plan Your Design

3. Incorporating Color and Texture in Your Design

4. Plan for Varied Heights & Consider Plant Placement

5. Select Contrasting Types of Rocks to Create a Great Look for Your Rockery Garden

6. Select Appropriate Plants

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Rock Garden Our Top 34 Best Choices

1

Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

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2

Foxtail Agave (Agave attenuata)

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3

Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)

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4

Rock cress (Arabis hybrida)

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5

Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata 'Gollum')

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6

Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)

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7

Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides)

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8

Euphorbia Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’)

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9

Black Rose (Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop')

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10

Madagascar Palm (Pachypodium lamerei)

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11

Creeping thyme (Breckland thyme)

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12

Mexican Fence Post (Pachycereus marginatus)

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13

African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona rubra)

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14

Purple Gem Rockcress (Aubrieta deltoide)

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15

Blue agave (Agave Tequilana)

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16

Rainbow Bush - Portulacaria afra variegata

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17

White Stripe Century Plant (Agave Americana 'Mediopicta Alba')

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18

Agave Blue Flame

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19

Copper Pinwheel - Aeonium Sunburst

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20

Blue Torch Cactus (Pilosocereus pachycladus)

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21

Century Plant (Agave Americana)

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22

Canary Aeonium (Aeonium canariense)

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