Dig This

A green front yard is not one carpeted in thick

St. Augustine turf. Grass only looks green.

A truly green yard uses a lot less water than that.

Xeriscape landscapes are kinder to the environment and less expensive than lawns because they don't require a lot of watering.

The definition of "xeriscape" has evolved to include landscapes that require little or no pesticides and fertilizers (pollutants) or mowing (a pollutant that consumes fossil fuels if you're gas-powered).

For many yards here, succulents and cactuses achieve all of the above without soil amendments.

Mitch Kessler has 10,000 of the plants in his North Tampa yard. "They're eco-friendly and require almost no care," he says.

These varieties are fairly easy to find locally, he says. To buy from him, make an appointment at mk@

kesconsult.com or (813) 264-5614. Prices are his.

Penny Carnathan

Night-blooming cereus (peruvanus)

Cereus is a family of cactus with a number of varieties. Most bloom only at night.

Peruvanus looks like a

cactus you would see in an old Western movie, and, come spring and summer, it blooms when the sun goes down. It thrives on very little water. A foot-tall specimen costs $6.

Pencil cactus

Add an Eastern accent to the yard with this fast-growing cactus, which reaches 20 to 30 feet tall.

It never needs watering, being thoroughly satisfied with rainfall. It's also easy to propagate and adapts to whatever light condition you have.

Could it be the perfect plant? You won't think so if the sap gets in your eye. Prices start at $5.

Aloe vera

If you love the beach, aloe vera is a must-have. The sap helps heal burns and certainly makes them feel better.

Grow in medium to full sun in well-draining soil. It gets by on rainfall. Prices start at $7.

Ponytail palm

The common name is also a common mistake: This is no palm; it's a succulent.

Grow it in a pot or in the ground, where it can get up to 20 feet tall.

It's drought-tolerant with leaves that give an elegant look. Prices start at $3.