One of our favorite things to do on a ride around Venice is admire front yard landscapes. Southern California may technically be a desert, but the way people design with plants makes the streets feel vibrant and alive. This yard stopped us in our tracks: The sculptural, branching tree on the left is a Tree Aloe (Aloe barberae), a South African native that can grow to the size of a small oak. On the right, the soft, feathery canopy looks like a She-oak (Casuarina), an Australian native that sways beautifully in the wind. And the bold rosettes tucked under it? Likely Agave, a Mexican native that thrives in SoCal and has become an icon of modern drought-tolerant design. We love how these species balance beauty and sustainability—showing that even in a desert climate, landscapes can be sculptural, resource-conscious, and inspiring. We looked these up on @plantsnap (our favorite plant ID app) and did our best to match names. If any horticulturists or landscape designers out there spot corrections—or know the exact species—we’d love to hear from you. We’re just curious riders and novices, still learning as we go. 🌿🚲