The Arid Bunch
In drier areas of the world plants adapt to long periods without rainfall by storing water in thick fleshy leaves, or reducing evaporation with thin and sharp foliage. Some of the wackiest and most beautiful plant designs have evolved from this niche environment. These tough cookies are collectively known as cacti and succulents, but we prefer "The Arid Bunch", which is much more John Wayne... The use of these plants in a UK garden conjures the feel of Mediterranean, Mexican or Wild West vistas, even in West Bromwich, which takes some doing...
The key to growing The Arid Bunch successfully is adequate soil/compost drainage. Many will withstand very severe frost providing they are not waterlogged. Soil improvement, raised beds and careful positioning mean you can create your own bit of Mexico or the Med in most parts of the UK. There’s a particularly good one in West Bromwich in fact…
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