Cacti, Agave and Yucca are highly adapted to the arid climates they inhabit. They have extensive root systems and even develop “rain roots,” where roots are expanded during rain events to capture as much water as possible. Since there are few opportunities to capture water in the desert ( or other arid climates) it’s important that cacti and other species don’t lose water once it’s captured. Thus, Crassulacean acid metabolism or CAM comes into play.

The Pacific Northwest is home to the Woodland Garden landscape style. This planting style can be achieved in different ways, depending on your personal tastes. Traditional and contemporary examples of both are shown below.

Welcome back to Know Your Agaves Part II ! Continuing on our adventure through a variety of scale, textures and colors. Agaves create beautiful, sculptural focal plants in the landscape, but chose and place them carefully.