By Dianna Christakos

Photos by David Gardener

Since moving from Maine some five years ago, I have discovered much about the do’s and don’ts of gardening in Florida. Being able to garden year round carries some significant challenges. By trial and error, and some considerable expense, I found that one has to be flexible to new techniques and rules. Unable to reproduce my beautiful perennial gardens from Maine, I had to change direction.

The heat of Florida has proven to be a greater adversary than the cold. Also, in my housing complex the deer roam the streets totally unafraid since they have no natural predators. They visit nightly to sample new nursery purchases. Desperate to find plants that tolerate the heat and are deer resistant has proved to be a challenge.

Undaunted, I pressed on and bought a few succulents with thorns, like Mammallaria, and here begins the love story with succulents.

I have planted  them in pots mainly so I can hide them from hurricanes. My Elephant Bush is over six feet tall, my Mexican Candelabra graces my front door, and my yard is filled with exotic plants of every considerable shape, color and size. I plant the ones that grow tall, like the variegated Cactus Pear, in big pots and they are amazing. And the deer do not touch them. The story does not end here.

This summer, I discovered that nearly all bloom, and what a spectacular show they put on! The smallest little cactus puts out a bloom twice its size. A Pillar Cactus is 8 feet tall and was covered with 28 blossoms. The blooms only last one day but I have actually stayed awake to see some of them open. Many are night bloomers.

 The benefits do not end there. These plants do not tolerate much water, which is a good thing for conservation. They love the heat. In addition, they are seldom bothered by pests and diseases.

So, take my word and try growing some succulents. Some varieties also do well indoors and make lovely terrariums. They are also very easy to propagate. There is no downside to growing these amazing plants!