However, not all plants with interesting texture encourage touch. Plants that are outright prickly can be very valuable in creating a garden with texture. Plants with fleshy leaves are worthy of consideration for the western garden. Not only do these plants provide texture in the landscape, they are also very drought tolerant. Fleshy-leafed plants include sedums, ice plants and sempervivums.
Sedums have a marvelous variety of colors, heights and shapes.
Ice plants, in contrast, have ground-hugging, bumpy foliage. Finally, sempervivums, commonly known as hens and chicks, have thick, rubbery leaves arranged in delightful rosettes. There's a whole world of garden textures to explore. When selecting a new plant for your garden, remember that a plant's bloom time is often brief, but a plant's texture is constant. The author has received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension and is a master gardener volunteer.