Desert blooms rock your garden
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Cactus can thrive in your courtyard too if you care
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RUgged beauties: The popularity of cactus is growing in recent times
Deserts are supposed to be dry and hot with low rainfall and hence non-conducive to plant life. However, we keep forgetting that cacti are the plants that survive the toughest of weather conditions and yet come up with blooms of all hues.
The popularity of cactus is increasing in recent times due to the concept of ‘rock gardens’ or ‘rockeries.’ Essentially theme gardens that could be the focal point of the entire courtyard if provided with enough foliage and waterways, rockeries are the easiest to maintain too.
Sandy soil, boulders, stones, ground cover and a variety of cacti and succulents are the basic requirements for a rock garden. Water ways may be provided to complement and enhance the scenic splendour.
Avoid water logging
“Care should be taken to avoid water logging lest plants should begin to decay. Cacti are tuned for hot weather conditions, but also grow in cold places such as hill stations if protected within poly-houses,” says M.M. Hussain, nursery owner.
Most plants used within a rockery are xerophytes or desert plants that use less water, but need more of the sun. Hence, the location of the rock garden should be so as to gain the maximum sunlight.
Usually prepared on mounds, rockeries will have boulders and stones arranged in natural anarchic patterns, with plants filling the cavities.
Echinocactus grusonii (golden barrel cactus or mother-in-law’s chair), Ferocactus horridus, Espostoa lanata (old man cactus), Astrophytum ornatum, Agave americana, Agave angustifolia media picta, Agave filifera and Agave sisalana are, according to Mr. Hussain, a few among the cactus varieties that may be grown in rock gardens. Grafted cacti grown on cereus as root stock add additional hues to the garden.
Succulents may be used for filling along with ground covers to improve the look. Aloes, Epiphyllums, Rhipsalidopsis, Zygocactus, Yuccas and Adeniums are a few succulents that may be used within a rockery.
Ground covers along with succulents will provide relief and break monotony within a rock garden or desert landscape.
Palms such as Phoenix sylvestris and Phoenix dactylifera, apart from Palmyra palm, may be used within a landscape.
SWATHI V.
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