To create lush, dramatic garden beds, combine two or three large succulents with masses of smaller ones. Don't use too many kinds in one planting or you'll end up with a disorganized-looking garden.

Hedge. For a maintenance-free, mild-climate hedge that needs minimal water, is green year-round, and has intriguing texture, intersperse jade plant ( Crassula ovata) with smooth-leafed Agave attenuata and elephant's food ( Portulacaria afra).

Accents. Use large succulents ― including aeoniums, agaves, crassulas, echeverias, kalanchoes, portulacarias ― as accents among lower-growing kinds.

Tuck-ins. Put smaller species of echeveria, ice plant, sedum, and senecio between steppingstones, or use them to create patterns in a small garden.

Color contrasts. For drama, play up contrasting hues where possible. Blue senecio ( S. mandraliscae) makes a cooling counterpart to Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', with nearly black rosettes, or bright coral red Euphorbia tirucalli 'Sticks on Fire'.