In areas where water availability influences garden design, plant selection becomes even more important. Xerophytic plants, cacti, succulents and palms encompass species with highly distinctive forms and, in many cases, a remarkable ability to thrive in dry environments once properly established.
Many of these plants have specialised structures that help reduce moisture loss or store water reserves. Fleshy leaves, reduced surface areas, thickened tissues and certain types of foliage are all part of the strategies developed to cope with demanding environments.
This does not mean that all of them should be treated in the same way. Watering requirements, cold tolerance and sensitivity to humidity can vary considerably between species.
One of the aspects we generally consider a priority is avoiding prolonged water retention around the roots. In many varieties adapted to dry conditions, poorly drained soil can be more problematic than moderate periods without irrigation.
During establishment, sufficient water must be provided to encourage root development. Afterwards, we adjust watering frequency according to the species, soil, exposure and climatic conditions.
The variety of growth habits available makes it possible to create compositions that are far richer than a simple collection of cacti. We can work with upright forms, rosettes, compact volumes, creeping plants and larger specimens.
By combining them with gravel, stone, ornamental grasses and other climate-adapted shrubs, we can design spaces with a strong Mediterranean character and controlled maintenance requirements.
At our nursery, we pay particular attention to plants adapted to demanding conditions and to low-water-use varieties, an area that forms part of Adrizas Plants’ specialisation.
We work to ensure that landscape designers, gardeners, nurseries and distributors can select species according to technical criteria rather than appearance alone. The plant information sheets in our catalogue provide details on the growing conditions of each variety and make it possible to assess its suitability before incorporating it into a project.
