While most of us dream of a beautiful garden, few have the spare time to maintain one. This is where clever succulent planting becomes a game-changer. As we move through 2026, the desert landscaping idea seen at the home of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick remains the ultimate inspiration for effortless style.
Designed by Patricia Foulkrod of Dirt Beauty – a film director and producer turned landscape artist – their tiered garden features a mix of cacti, succulents, and grasses that climb the hillside. The result is a lush, verdant space accented with deep purple tones.
As our schedules get busier and the impacts of climate change feel more pressing, this low-maintenance, drought-tolerant planting serves as a sophisticated alternative to traditional, thirsty gardens.
Patricia explains on her website: 'We integrate colorful drought-tolerant plants as well as perennials and grasses that can thrive on as little water as possible. My intention is to create for my clients a unique sanctuary garden that is not an ideal but a garden well-lived in throughout the seasons and one's daily life.'
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Getting started on your own succulent garden is easy with this generous pack of 20 plants. It lets you experiment with a variety of succulents, helping you discover which varieties you like best.
This fertilizer is a nutrient-rich blend designed to support healthy succulent growth. It makes up to 32 gallons of feed when mixed with water and is best applied during the spring and summer months.
Help your mangave plants thrive with a fast-draining soil mix like this one. It is formulated with lime, perlite, peat moss, coarse sand, and composted pine bark to support healthy growth.
Perfect for dining al fresco, this metal bench is both sturdy and refined. The cushion adds comfort, while the solid base keeps it grounded, creating an ideal spot to sit back and admire your succulent garden.
Made from 100% natural Philippine stone, this striking planter is both minimalist and distinctive enough to make a statement on your terrace. Each piece is one of a kind, with unique coloring and shape, and it is so easy to maintain.
Inspired by the plant-filled bowl on Khloé's table, this stone piece is a versatile alternative. Made from durable resin, it's weatherproof and fade-resistant, staying strong and vibrant season after season.
Master Gardener and author Thomas Rutter highlights why this method is gaining such significant traction. He states: 'Landscaping with succulents and cacti will not only look great, but is also practical in terms of yard care. These plants have evolved to tolerate high heat and drought, storing water in their stems and leaves that they can then rely on in periods of dry weather.'
The logistics of planning a dry garden vary depending on your specific location. Thomas advises: 'If you reside in a warm US hardiness zone, such as zone 9 or 10, growing one, two or several different varieties of succulents is a clever design trick that will save you from excess watering during those long and hot July and August days.'
For those in cooler regions, the strategy shifts as the seasons change. He continues: 'In cooler regions, I would suggest growing cacti or succulents in pots that can be moved indoor or protected during frosty and snowy weather. While there are some tough and hardy species, many are tender and will rot in they sit in waterlogged soil for too long.'
Regardless of your local climate or your level of commitment, there is a way to integrate greenery into your home. A succulent sanctuary like the one owned by Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick is a perfect starting point.
