Seaside Gallery: Salt‑Tolerant Succulents and South African Natives

Beachfront gardening means salty breezes and reflected heat. At Abbott and Marsha Krieger’s Pacific Palisades home, designer Stephanie Wilson Blanc embraced the challenge with plants that thrive in those conditions—succulents and South African species that actually benefit from the heat reflected off the street and courtyard wall.

Plant Palette for a Narrow, Hot Strip

• Sword‑leafed accents: ‘Big Red’ kangaroo paws (foreground), Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion quadrangulatum) (background).
• Fleshy succulents for contrast: Ice plant, Senecio mandraliscae.
• Soft texture: Woolly‑leafed African daisy (Arctotis).
• Height and drama: Mature cactus and tree aloes.

The 22‑foot‑wide strip packs variety through foliage form and color, turning a harsh microclimate into a showcase.

DESIGN: Stephanie Wilson Blanc, Pacific Palisades (310/459‑3131)