Thanks for the kind words everyone. I found out on the Cacti Forum that the Mammillaria is probably M. microcarpa. Usha, I don't think the Aptenia would care much for full sun. It would do okay, but probably be pretty stressed out. The few bits of mine that don't have any protection from the overhang look pretty bad.

According to Landscape Plants for Dry Climates (written by a faculty member at UA), Ficus Nitida in the ground should be watered every week or two in the hot season and every month or two in the cool but they also point out that many established trees seem to do fine without water - while its not really a low water use plant it certainly is not a water hog. They also recommend them as large container plants. Personally I absolutely love them. I bought one which I have not yet planted cause I don't know where to put it. I might put it in a container - I am concerned about how big it will get in the ground and the roots. I keep changing my mind about where to put it. I also absolutely love Palo Brea which I will put in my yard when I convert it to Xeriscape. I love Ironwood and Jacarandas and Agaves. On the other hand, I'm indifferent to palms and don't care for Chilean Mesquite. There is a Acacia which I can't even be close to when it blooms cause the smell makes me gag. Unfortunately there are tons of them by my work building - guess its not so bad that I'm losing my job :)

Dennis - that Dudleya is a beauty! I have yet to find anyone around here who can grow Dudleya. Someone once sent me one in a trade and it lasted about 5 months before it looked so awful I tossed it. Bill, I just HAD to get out my Bible to look up your reference (and felt bad when I had to blow the dust off of it!) Anyway, as I was looking through my books for it, my husband asked what I was doing and I told him. He laughed and nearly quoted the passage - probably the only one he could quote (bad boy, bad boy!) So here it is, in the language of the "New International Version" (which I always felt more readable, though perhaps not 100% accurate...): Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But I had to laugh when I read the next verse... But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Hm, beware all you who grow thorn-producing plants!! The wrath of God may be upon you! Peace back at ya, Bill! Denise in Omaha

That is a great example of microclimates JoJo! The time spent at the minimum temperature (minutes, hours, days) plays a big role in what temperatures a plant can survive. So does the amount of water in the plant, and in the soil. Dry plants are much more tolerant of cold compared to wet plants. Plants in the ground can survive colder temperatures than plants in pots. I have found most of my plants can tolerate much lower temperatures than typically listed. These lows are brief, just a few hours at most, and it's at least 20 degrees warmer during the day. So plants that are supposed to not go below the mid-thirties F can tolerate minimum temperatures in the high twenties. Agave ferdinand-regis is listed at both +5, and -12 in the list above. The difference between a minimum average temperature, absolute minimum temperature, and Fahrenheit and Celsius scales is often confused. Minimum temperature listings should be regarded with great suspicion, even when coming from a more or less credible source like Desert-Tropicals. It is better to research the plants natural environmental conditions. I would not give much credence to this, or any other so called 'minimum temperature' list. There are too many variables for these to be accurate to any degree. ;) Brad