A Succulent Paradise
Succulents like warm conditions and that’s why having a succulent garden outside in a cold climate is not possible. You can plant the succulents in pots and then bring them inside in winters.
You can design your succulent garden however you want, but make sure to draw out a layout before starting. Plan the design according to the space you have.
After the designing, it’s time to choose your plants...
Below is the list of a few succulents that you can plant in your garden.
Echeveria Black Prince
The echeveria black prince has a beautiful foliage of dark-hued rosettes. Salmon-red flowers arise in autumn and winter. These beautiful flowers attract hummingbirds. The evergreen leaves of this plant are frost hardy. This plant prefers full sun and a porous soil. The vibrant and striking foliage of this plant makes it stand out in a garden.
String of Buttons (Crassula perforata)
The crassula perforata or more commonly called string of buttons, is a shrubby and trailing plant which can grow up to 18 inches. WIth egg-shaped leaves, pale yellow flowers in the spring, this plant does well in a well-drained soil and part shade. Full, hot sun exposure can be damaging for the plant.
Jade Plant/ Crassula ovata (C. argentea, C. portulacea)
The jade plant has thick, oval shaped leaves with a glossy texture. This plant is very easy to take care of and hardy. This plant produces white or pink flowers under the right conditions or once they’ve matured. The jade needs watering only when the soil has dried. They should be kept in a well-drained soil mix.
Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum or Echeveria elegans)
There are two succulent plants that have the common name of hens and chicks. These two succulent plants are related to each other but look different. Sempervivum tectorum and Echeveria both have flower-like rosettes but the leaves of the former plant are much more pointed. Echeveria has bell shaped blooms whereas Sempervivum has star shaped flowers that die after blooming.
Paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)
This is one of the most popular succulents due to its intense color and gracefulness.The leaves of this plant are flat. It dashes when it blooms. These plants do not last more than a year before they bolt. Once it flowers, cut off the stems and take good care of the remaining plants. New offsprings will be produced soon which can be plucked and then rooted.
Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)
These succulents can bloom all year round, if given proper light conditions. They have spiky branches and spoon shaped leaves. They also have small flowers which are not easily noticeable. It produces beautiful blooms under direct sun but it can also work under medium light. Only the top inch of the soil should be allowed to dry out in between watering if the flower is in bloom. On the other hand, when the flower is not blooming, the upper half of the soil should be allowed to dry.
Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
This succulent is popular mainly for its dense and beautiful foliage. The main attraction of this plant is its foliage. It has thick green leaves covered with soft silver hair. These silver hair give the plant a fuzzy and blue-gray appearance. The edge of the leaves are covered with brown colored hair.This succulent is generally grown in medium to bright filtered light.
Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae)
This succulent blooms just once, at the end point of its life. It is popular for its exquisite beauty and style. A mature plant is very hard and has a size of a volleyball. The leaves of this succulent are edged with white lines which enhances its beauty.
Haworthia Cymbiformis
Native to South Africa, the haworthia cymbiformis grows to a height of three inch. These plants are very easy to grow and proliferate rapidly. The haworthia cymbiformis can be kept under indirect light or partial shade. It needs moderate watering, probably once every two to three weeks. The watering should be enough to keep the leaves round and stout.
Key Lime Pie (Adromischus cristatus)
The key lime plant is also called as the crinkle leaf plant. The leaves of this plant are fuzzy, plumpy with crinkles at the ends. The key lime pie prefers bright light, but too much can cause it to wrinkle. The plant needs to be watered only when the soil gets dry. The flowers of this plant are white, tubular with some red marking. The key lime pie should be planted in a porous soil, with ample drainage.
Donkey’s tail (Sedum morganianum)
This plant is very unique with its vine like appearance. These succulents are generally grown in hanging baskets or in pots or containers which are present on top of the wall. It needs a shaded location for it to grow its best. Filtered light is also prefered as this succulent does not have much affection towards heat.
Firesticks (Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Rosea’)
This succulent has a very attractive appearance and will surely make your garden look ravishing. This succulent lack the chlorophyll the parent plant had and is thus a slow grower. The reasonable size for this plant is about 4-8 feets. The branches are as thin as pencils and have a red- golden color. In summer the color fades to yellow. The color is red and bright in full sun during winters. You need to be careful when handling this succulent as the stem breaks easily and the milk like sap can burn the skin.
Blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)
This succulent has a rich blue color. The leaves are pencil shaped and spiky which create a very fine textured mass. This succulent is drought tolerant and fire resistant. It has low water needs and can thrive in full sun to low light. The blue chalk sticks also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
A FEW TIPS
- Regular watering is very important during the growing period of the plant,
- Rotting can be prevented by keeping the stems out and providing it with drying period between the watering.
- Remove dead stems
So go design your own beautiful succulent garden with these amazing plants today!
Happy gardening!
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