The search continues...

Within the span of five days, I visited two more garden centers in the search for plants to fill vacancies in the succulent bed I've been renovating.  I can't claim any discoveries that have pulled the entire picture together in my mind but, for me, building a garden bed is a painting rather than a puzzle.  Each decision alters the overall composition.

Armstrong, my local garden center, part of a chain, provided relatively few choices in terms of either agaves or Leucadendrons.  There were more aloes than I'd expected but nothing unusual and the agave selection was very limited.  I considered a few alternatives.

I briefly considered Dasylirion longissima (left), Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' (right rear) and Yucca linearifolia (right foreground) but ruled out each for different reasons

I didn't find the Leucadendron 'Summer Red' I'd fixated on, or any Leucadendrons in one-gallon containers for that matter.

Armstrong had Leucadendrons 'Winter Red' and 'Ebony', both of which I already have in my garden

For reasons I can't fathom, I was attracted to one ceramic piece that had nothing whatsoever to do with my shopping list but better sense prevailed.

The Talavera-style ceramic gecko was cute but expensive and I've absolutely no idea where I'd put it

I didn't check off any of my bigger ticket items but I didn't go home entirely empty handed.

I bought 2 small pots of Osteospermum 'Serenity Coral Magic'and one small pot of O. 'Serenity Dark Purple' (because they didn't have any more).  I also bought 3 of each of the Echeverias shown in the bottom row in 2-inch pots (left to right: Echeverias 'Afterglow', 'Mexicano', and 'Serrana').

On Tuesday, a neighbor and I took a trip to Flora Grubb Gardens in Marina Del Rey.  That garden center offered a lot of choices in terms of water-wise plants.

The large area directly west of a freeway exit was loaded with Agaves, Leucadendrons, and Leucospermums among other plants

There were a range of mixed succulent vignettes like these arrayed throughout the garden center too

Clockwise from the left are: a mix of agaves, cactus, and Leucadendrons; Agave gypsophila 'Ivory Curls'; and Agave americana mediopicta 'Alba'

Display of Leucadendrons and pots (left) and Leucadendron 'Red Eye' (right).  I was briefly obsessed with the latter but, as it can grow up to 20 feet tall, I reluctantly turned away.

My friend was focused on Leucospermums.

Closeups of just a few Leucospermum flowers, clockwise from the upper left: L.'Flame Giant', L gueinzii, L. 'Helene', and L. 'Naomi'

Other plants sounded a siren's call but were resisted.

Another Anigozanthos in the Bush Gems Celebration series.  This one is 'Aussie Spirit'.  It was in a larger pot than the 'Masquerade' variety I'd purchased a week before in a one-gallon pot at Deep Roots and more than twice the cost.

The Grevilleas on display included 'Long John', 'Misty Pink', and 'Sandra Gordon'

From left to right are Beschorneria yuccoides, Podocarpus henkelii, and assorted bromeliads

I've been a little obsessed with Beschorneria since my neighbor showed me this specimen in her front garden last weekend.  She says it was planted at least 8 years ago and this is the first time it's bloomed.  I have 2, one older than that but unfortunately almost entirely buried under my ginormous Leucadendron 'Chief'.  The other, a variegated 'Flamingo Glow', is still small after 2 years in the ground.  Planted from a 4-inch pot, I think I have a long wait ahead before it blooms.

My phone identified this butterfly as a mourning cloak

I bought yet another Agave 'Blue Glow' but this one came in a 3-gallon container.  I planted 2 smaller specimens of the same agave, picked up last year in 4-inch pots, on either side of the spot intended for the larger one.  In lieu of a Leucadendron, I selected Chondropetalum tectorum (aka small cape rush) to add a touch of softness to the bed.  I have a larger version of this plant, which I love, but it grew far bigger than advertised and overwhelmed its spot.  This one should only grow 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.

A Phormium 'Maori Queen' like this one in a garden bed near the front door might be a nice option