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Grab your mask and snorkel (bikini and speedo?) and go for an ocean dive right in your own back yard! I planted this faux Coral Reef garden in an area outside my kitchen patio in a 15′ x 4′ space. I originally saw this idea at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, CA and wanted to see if I could replicate it in my own yard. For Mother’s Day my gift was a carload of plants (big surprise) and I went to work trying to recreate that colorful ocean display. By using drought tolerant plants such as succulents, cactus, small palms and euphorbia, I was able to reduce watering in this area to only once per week. It now has the illusion of being surrounded by water, yet simultaneously being water wise. This has been one of my favorite projects so far and has become prettier every month as the plants continue to flourish.

* I added sea shells, thick rope, glass balls, ocean statuary and a pebble/lava ground cover at the edges. I even found a faux light weight black anchor on ebay.

* Grouping large rocks and stacking them in mounds creates depth and gives the illusion of a coral reef.

* By placing a landscaping fabric underneath the rocks and pebbles, it not only helps keep weeds out, but prevents the rocks from sinking under the soil.