Cher's '70s Garden Was a Masterclass in Using Low-Water Plants to Add Texture – The Structured Layout is Full of Lessons for Modern Planting

A front garden is more than just artfully arranged plants - it's the portal to your home. This greenery provides guests a first impression of the house, and welcomes you back to your sanctuary everyday. Thus, it's some of the most important planting you'll do. If you're looking for a stylish but low-maintenance option, look no further than Cher's flowerbeds in the late '60s for inspiration.

Photographs of the singer and ex-husband Sonny Bono at their Encino, California home show a front garden defined by structure and arid climate plants. The bed to the left of their door features a large, architectural Agave (like this one from Amazon) and drought-tolerant flowering plants to create an interesting, textured look. A round planter filled with leafy green foliage and pink blossoms serves as a taller focal point. Trailing plants at the edge of the tiered beds create a soft contrast against the hardscaping.

The combined approach of container gardening with drought-tolerant plants helps to create a low-maintenance, yet ultra-stylish look. To dive in deeper, Homes & Gardens has curated an edit of items you will need to plant your own version of Cher's look, from hardy succulents to high-performing gardening gloves. We also interviewed horticulturists to get their best planting and care tips for this kind of bed. We will begin with a glimpse of Cher and Sonny's greenery.

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Recreate Cher's Look at Home

If you're looking for plants that practically take care of themselves in an arid climate like California, you can't do much better than succulents. As Cher demonstrates, they look beautiful combined with more leafy and floral pairings. Jane Fairlie, horticultural specialist, states: 'Succulents are an excellent option. Often described as cactus-like but without spines, they are highly tolerant of dry conditions and require minimal watering.'

She advises: 'Popular examples include the Jade plant, which features fleshy oval leaves and is sometimes associated with good luck and prosperity, and Aloe Vera, which also has practical uses as its sap can help soothe minor burns. Sansevieria and Zebra plants are also low-maintenance choices, with upright, architectural foliage and a reputation for being particularly easy to care for.'

Part of what makes Cher's garden so charming is the addition of a terracotta pot filled with greenery to add height and depth. However, if you decide to follow in her footsteps, it's essential that you plan accordingly. Horticulturist Chris Bonnett advises: 'A lot of people make the mistake of treating their container plants the same as other plants in the garden, but the truth is they require a different kind of care. Pots dry out much quicker so it’s important you water them more during dry spells.'

He continues: 'You also shouldn’t assume every and any plant can belong in a container. Some are too big and you’ll find that as they grow, their roots become squashed and they experience stunted growth.'

Instead, if you plan to use a terracotta pot like Cher's, it's important to consider its placement, and the plants in it carefully. Chris states: 'If you’re hoping to fill a certain area of the garden with containers, think about the sunlight levels in that particular area and choose a plant accordingly. This way you can design your garden how you want while also giving your plants the best opportunity to grow healthy.'

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