Cold-Hardy Cacti and Succulents

This collection focuses on succulents that can survive in Central European climate and for this reason it is botanically very heterogeneous. It contains mostly plants from higher altitudes of the south of the USA and the north of Mexico. The most important families are cacti (Cactaceae) and asparagus (Asparagaceae). The number of species is significantly limited by our ability to grow these plants year-round without using a shelter. We use mainly species from seeds obtained during our expeditions to the USA, but we would like to extend our assortment. 

Although the collection includes less than a hundred species, many items are of known origin. That is an indisputable advantage for the gene pool.

 The most numerous cacti species are nopals from the Opuntia and Cylindropuntia genera. They are used mainly in the North American Semidesert exposition, where we also grow their time-tested cultivars. From spherical cacti, representatives of the Echinocereus genus thrive the best here.

Undoubtedly the most striking plants of the collection are species from the Yucca genus, especially the famous and hardy Yucca filamentosa. Other species, such as Yucca baccata, Yucca glauca and Yucca harrimaniae are more delicate. 

We grow about a dozen species of Agave from the above-mentioned areas, but we do not have long-term experience in growing them without a shelter.

More delicate plants, which may successfully withstand frost, but do not tolerate overwatering of the substrate, are displayed in a small greenhouse in the North Grounds. From spring to autumn, they can be seen in a flower bed in front of the foil greenhouse.