Cleistocactus candelilla

In its homeland, around Cochabamba in Bolivia, it forms an undergrowth of at first erect, later prostrate stems, up to 2 m long. the stems have light to brownish, later greyish spines. The tubular flowers are red with white margins.

Cleistocactus grossei

Is a coarsely spined species from the boundary zone of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. It flowers profusely while still small, producing orange-red, relatively wide open flowers. C. baumannii, C. colubrinus and C. flavispinus are related species. All are cultivated in greenhouse where, if planted outside in pots, they rapidly mature into profusely flowering decorative plants. Later they can be shaped by pruning the older branches. They tolerate winter temperatures about 10°C. They are not too particular as regards soil.

Coryphantha elephantidens

Is up to 25 cm high with a deep green body and conspicuous pale spines. The carmine to white flowers, always with red throat, appear in the second half of summer. C. elephantidens comes from the Mexican state of Morelos. The similar, yellow-flowered C. bumamma ranges to the south and west. Both species grow in black soil rich in humus, on limestone in lush grass - in places with profuse summer rainfall. They are easy to cultivate, requiring a great deal of nutrients and watering in summer, in winter surviving in a completely dry environment at about 10°C. They are suitable for beginners and growers with modest conditions.

Coryphantha macromeris

Is a soft-fleshed plant with prominent spines and grows in clumps. It frequents dry situations and it is sensitive to watering. The large hairy flowers appear at the end of summer and last only for 1 to 2 days. It occurs int he south of the USA, in western Texas and mainly in northern Mexico.

Coryphantha clava

This stubbly cactus has yellow to brown spines that fade to off-white. Clumping with age, it bears golden flowers only when mature. The areoles exude a nectar-like secretion on which mould grows; regular spraying with water in summer and autumn and good ventilation help to avoid this.

H 38 cm (15 in), S 60cm (2 ft). Min. 5°C (41°F).

Echeveria elegans Rose

The native home of this blue-green leaved echeveria is in central Mexico, in the mountains north-east of the capital, Mexico City. It is ascends to about 3,000m, and can be found in pine woods, in clearings on rocky plateaux and rock-walls exposed to the sun. It is one of the hardiest species, often planted in parks for summer. The variety hernandonis, called after the contemporary expert on succulent plants Hernando Sanchez-Mejorada, has the more handsome compact rosettes. It forms dense cushion-like clumps of small bluish rosettes. The flowers appear in antumn of in winter. If the plants are places in a cool and sbsolutely dry spot throughout the autumn and winter months, the flowers will be delayed until late spring.

Graptopetalum filiferum

Whitehead Graptopetalum filiferum comes from northern Mexico. It forms abundant colonies of dense ground level rosettes. The leaves taper into fine filiform tips and resemble those of Sempervivum. The flowers are relatively large, with reddish tips to the petals. It is propagated from detached leaves or from side-shoots. A closely related genus Tacitus, only recently described, differs in its large red flowers. Neither plant has as yet made much impact in the garden or indoor cultivation, but should prove of great value.

Echeveria gracilis

Comes from high altitudes ( up to 3,000 m ) in central Mexico. It grows in places where the winter temperatures drop to zero, and the dry vegetation is in the morning covered by hoarfrost. In spite of this, in cultivation the plant grows during the winter usually bearing flowers at this season too.

Echeveria peacockii

Echeveria peacockii Croucher is a small species, 6-7 cm across, with rosettes of blue-green, often grey-white frosted leaves. The edges and tips are red or red-brown, particularly when kept in a sunny place. It produces red to red-orange flowers in spring. Like the preceding species, it is easy to cultivate and deserves to be more widely grown both in collections and in the home. It is indigenous to the state of Puebla, coming from the area around the city of Tehuacan in Mexico. It is propagated from detached leaves.

Echeveria shaviana

Is a forest species from the northern regions of Mexico. It frequents soil rich in humus, underneath pines and oaks, amply supplied with rainfall during summer and autumn. They dry winter season is cooler in the moutains, with frequent fog, dew, occasional rains or hoarfrost. Thanks to its bluish leaves, E. shaviana is very striking and is an easily cultivated species.

Echeveria tundellii

The downy, soft blue rosette offsets and develops into a small mound, which in summer provides a foil  to arching stems of brilliant flame-red and yellow flowers. Rosettes begin to flower when they are only 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter.

H 13 cm (5 in), S 60cm (2 ft). Min. 5°C (41°F).

Pachyphytum oviferum

Pachyphytum oviferum comes from northern Mexico and grows at altitudes of  about 2,000 m. Nevertheless, it needs warmth and sunshine, and it should be grown in a sunny cactus greenhouse. Like P. bracteosum from central Mexico, P. longifolium and P. viride, it is an ornamental succulent, exciting admiration when grown well.