Home alone—at least one container garden won't need watering and tending when I go away on vacation. Reading Succulent Container Gardens by Debra Lee Baldwin inspired me to create my first project.
Not having prior experience beyond garden sedums, I decided to try a simple design and use an existing container.
For my project, I went to Big Bloomers Flower Farm in Sanford, North Carolina where I found a selection of succulents that are suitable for zone 7, with good drainage and full sun. I can overwinter the container on my front porch where the winter sun warms up the stone floor.
Using a terracotta container that stays on my outdoor teak dining table for three seasons, I chose a rustic color scheme. The sempervivum 'Red Rubin' and 'Icicle' echo the rust-burgundy colors of the weathering on the pot. The sempervivum, aka 'Hens and Chicks' are suitable for zones 3-9.
The emerald green agave bracteosa 'Calamar' works for zones 7-10 and is spineless and compact. Spineless meaning that you won't be injured by any sharp spiny agave points. It is underplanted with green sedum tetractinum that is hardy down to zone 5.
My original plan was to use the agave and sedum in a round, green-glazed pot so that the agave will have space to grow over the next year. It will mature at 2 feet—too large for the present home. However, since I underestimated the size of the terracotta container and didn't have enough sempervivum, the agave is temporarily in the same pot (for this story). Debra is careful to address fitting the size of the plants with the size of the pot.
I will do some rearranging of the plants after my next visit to the nursery so that the tabletop arrangement is all sempervivum—a design that I love in Debra's book. Sempervivum will multiply and the offspring can be separated from the mother plant.
Using Debra's very clear instructions for planting, I made a mix of potting soil and perlite from one of the "recipes" that she provided. After planting, there was soil and perlite on the plants, so I used a soft artist's brush to gently sweep away the debris. I carefully watered the soil.
According to Debra, the succulents should last about two weeks between waterings—enough time for me to slip away on vacation. I won't have to phone home to see if these plants are still alive!
Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. All company or product or patented names mentioned are registered trademarks/copyrights/patents owned by those respective companies or persons.
This was a fun project and my son went with me to the nursery to help me select the plants. He's now off being an archaeologist again, but it was great to do some gardening with him between his projects.
ReplyDeletePlease take a look at the book review and the video that shows Debra Lee Baldwin planting a container. The plantings in the book are really spectacular!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
I love your container garden. The container itself is beautiful. My neighbor has an agave plant that is huge. I can see how it would be too large for the pot as it grows. I live in NC too. Thanks for the plant suggestions. I may have to try to plant one myself. Carla
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful - both the plants and the container. I haven't been very interested in succulents, but I am now!
ReplyDeleteA very nice pot indeed. Great it needs little water!
ReplyDeleteYour plant composition compliments the container perfectly. Post the progress of this planting throughout the summer, please!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think pots like that can be placed anywhere. I actually prefer them to many annuals in containers, they've an exotic twang to them.
Looks very nice, Cameron. I enjoy the limited number of sedums that are hardy here in my area.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
This is a project that will be tried here. Going away is always a worry for the containized plantings, we never know what the weather is going to bring in the way of rain. Yours already looks fabulous. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Freda, I love the pot and succulents as well. Very nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do more perennial containers that require less maintenance, hold up during the seasons and I don't have to repeat purchases the following year. At least I can move perennials around as they outgrow their containers.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I planted an old cracked cobalt blue birdbath top with a mixture of various Sempervivum and used PermaTill as mulch on top of the potting soil. The blue/gray aggregate looks great with the blue saucer.
ReplyDeleteI just leave outside in the winter in zone 7 Winston-Salem, and so far so good. I do tilt the container at an angle by leaning it against a medium size stone. I've found more winter damage is caused by excess or standing water than cold. Our low temperature this year was +10F-12F for several nights and it stayed below freezing for several days running.
Wow Cameron, I go MIA for a few weeks and when I come back you've developed a whole new (very pretty) planting technique!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never been much bothered by succulents before, but your planting has prompted me to think again! :)
I love that container. The pot is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI need to check out her book.
Would you believe I planted a strawberry jar with sempervivums...twice, and they rotted out both times.
I thought anyone could grow the plants.....not me!
I do love them.
I'm most impressed and very inspired, Cameron. Now, if only the weather would cooperate and I could begin working outside! I want a succulent container garden too ...now!
ReplyDeleteI love that combination! It's too bad the agave will get too big to stay in that pot.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great succulent garden, and a pretty agave. Succulents are about the only container plants that tolerate me so I love 'em.
ReplyDelete