Succulents hit hard by freeze too

RE [“The Backyard in a Different Light,” March 1]: I read your article and was surprised at the quote from the nursery manager at Roger’s Gardens. Doing a succulent garden may be great for the summer, but the article was about the problems after a freeze. He must not be familiar with what happens to succulents during a freeze.

In the Coachella Valley we lost Agave attenuata, Opuntia leptocaulis (pencil cactus) and many other succulents because their leaves turn to mush in freezing weather. We have lost many plants, and they won’t come back because the entire “juice” of the plant has frozen.

Succulent gardens will be a disaster if it gets cold again. We know from experience.

BECKY SMITH

Indio