Succulent Seascape: Underwater Garden on Dry Land

At Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, surfer-snorkeler Jeff Moore of Solana Succulents created a planting that mimics a Pacific cove. Using shapely succulents—small agaves, aloes, groundcovers, and crested cactus resembling brain coral—he built a dry seascape. Start by stacking lava rock for canyons, fill crevices with fast-draining cactus mix, tuck plants among rocks, mulch with pea gravel, and pave "shallows" with white sand.

Many tender succulents used here suit only mild coastal Southern California. For other areas, experiment with hardier succulents or create a tabletop seascape in a shallow bowl. Moore has also designed undersea installations for SeaWorld, the San Diego County Fair, and the Philadelphia Flower Show.

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