‘Lush and Friendly’ Cacti

I enjoyed the tour of the handsome garden in Ojai (“Birds in Paradise,” Gardens, by Susan Heeger, Feb. 4). It’s refreshing to see such a collection of drought-tolerant plants looking lush and friendly. I admire the way Dennis Hall and Albert Marrero have softened the severe, spiky look that I’ve associated in the past with succulent and cacti gardens. I only wish someone hadn’t smeared butter all over the camera lens before the shoot!

Loren Tripp

Altadena