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Saucy Succulents

Succulents

I love that word.  Succulent conjures up something sweet and juicy, but it also refers to a type of plant.  Saucy, juicy, care-free succulents.

I met a succulent gardener last summer over a bunch of dirt.  Top soil to be exact.  Long story, but I ordered planting mix and received top soil instead.  The vendor offered a refund but would not come pick up the soil.  I offered the  top soil on Freecycle, and that’s how I met Amy.

Amy grows succulents in her beautiful garden.  I helped her unload the soil at her home and she gave me the nickel tour.  I hope to go back and take pictures to share with all of you.  Her garden is unique and perfectly suited to our semi-arid climate.

Amy sent home a few cuttings from her garden that day.

Amy succulent large pot

Cutting from Amy’s garden

Earlier this year, I planted Sedum in my tower of pots.  I simply pressed the cuttings directly into the soil and off they grew.  Amazing!  They’re doing great in a couple of pots on my deck.

tower of pots succulents

Tower of pots

succulent towe of pots

Amy’s cutting joins the tower of pots

Coincidentally, I bought a few succulents mid-July.  They came beautifully pre-planted and ready to hang.  I hung them on the side of the house near the deck.  They only need water about once a month.

assorted succulents

Assorted succulents hang on the side of the house

In early October, I moved the hanging planters to make room for Halloween decorations.  Turns out they look nice back-to-back on the center of the outdoor table.

succulent pots

Succulents relocated

succulent closeup

Closeup, with a joyful accent from Boomdee

These saucy succulents are a welcome addition to my garden ensemble. I’m looking forward to adding more next year.

 

19 thoughts on “Saucy Succulents”

  1. Goodness I love succulent plants. Currently I have. Sedum, Jade Plant and echeveria growing in my house. When did you start growing them and what is in your collection?

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    • Hi Anthony, Thanks for stopping by. I’m new to planting succulents. I planted all of these this past summer. The cuttings were from Amy, the sedum (in the tower of pots) came from a local nursery, and the pots on the wall were pre-planted. Do you recognize any of them by name? love the gray/purple plant. It really grew over the months, too.

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  5. Gosh, your photos are just getting more and more remarkable! These are a beautiful collection. My eldest daughter [ED] loves her succulents – she has quite a collection….. I am more of a roses and lavender girl myself, but am not immune to their charms – especially when I see them displayed as you have done. Great post Alys zozo

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    • Awww…thanks so much! (((Pauline)))

      I like the idea of an English garden. One day I would love to turn my landscaped space into something like that. I love our garden…don’t get me wrong, but would love to have a small white fence, climbing roses, fragrant perennials and meandering paths. Unfortunately, and this has been very hard to admit to myself of late, I can’t do the things I once could. It’s hard on my neck, my back and my knees. I used to do everything, including mowing, pruning, planting, etc. Now I have a friend mow and do some of the pruning.

      I did do some pruning last week and I’m still popping Aleve. Age…its not for the faint of heart.

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  6. It’s quite amazing how gardeners find each other isn’t it? I bet Amy’s garden is really neat and I’m sure she was grateful for the soil. What a good idea to list it that way. I wish we could maintain more succulents here. Watering once a month sounds pretty fabulous. On the really warm days, I used to water hanging baskets twice. I tried to use a really ‘light’ soil mixture in them and they dried out faster.

    You know, since we saw that wall of air plants in San Francisco, I’m seeing them everywhere. They’re usually sold in a small terrarium here, I’d much rather buy them loose and make my own display. I’ll have to ask Adele if she can get them.

    There are two succulents that I grew in the garden and they did pretty well. Hens & Chicks and Sedum. Of course they died back under the snow, but always grew back the next summer. I wish our summer was longer, but what can you do! Carpe Diem 😀

    Really nice photo’s too hon, I may be partial but, your last photo has so many shades of green and shadow I thought it was awesome. Almost like looking at a lake, a million shades of blue, none quite the same as the next. You are such a charmer to display your little pebble in your post, I love you!

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    • Those hanging baskets do dry out quickly. I tend to get lazy, too, right when the heat is at its worst. (Maybe not lazy, but sun and heat avoiding).

      I had forgotten about those air plants! They are really something, aren’t they? I hope Adele can set you up. You’ll work miracles for sure.

      We had Hens and Checks once upon a time, but the frost did them in. That is the down side to succulents if your temperatures drop. I’m amazed that yours survived the snow. So darn cool.

      I love that little pebble. I came across it the other day, exactly where you left it on your visit, and scooped it up for photos. Now it’s sitting next to me indoors. I love it and I love you! Fancy that, kitty cat.

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      • Fancy that, kitty cat 😀 hehe

        Our Hens & Chicks got nasty brown and curled up edges but they always came back in the spring. I wonder if you left them, would they come back in your spring? We grow them as a perennial, just like Delphiniums or Phlox or Poppies. I’d have to learn how to garden all over again in your climate 😀

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        • I wonder if the snow protects them more that simply freezing temps without the moisture. Sort of blanket if you will. I’ve also had things come back after a second season of looking dead. Maybe I jump the gun to quickly in some cases. Need to pay attention to my need for tidiness at the expense of plants. I’m getting better.

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  7. A couple of years ago our 10 year drought broke here in Melbourne. During the drought we relied on kitchen water to use on the garden, so succulents became very popular. They are quite stunning, with such a range of shapes and colours, and very easy to propagate. Your baskets look so pretty.

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    • That makes sense! We’ve had water rationing in the past due to a drought, then everyone goes back to green lawns. I’ve been trying to eliminate more and more of our grass, but my husband is very attached. Baby steps

      They are stunning, aren’t they? Lots of shapes, colors and textures.

      Thanks, Anne!

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      • After drought it is lovely to see green and lush again. This year I have planted a bed of annuals because I wanted to see colour and pretty flowers. I have only done it because there is more water in our dams.
        Do you plan to eliminate the lawn by stealth — enlarging one garden bed at a time 🙂 ?

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