I love container gardens stuffed with annuals for summer blooms, but I don't like leaving them unattended when I go on vacation. Creating a container garden takes imagination, time and expense—I don't want to come home to wilted or dead plants! Until recently, I knew nothing about growing succulents—that can tolerate a couple of weeks without water. I live in North Carolina, not Southern California.
The idea of succulents as container plants never crossed my mind until I opened the book, Succulent Container Gardens by Debra Lee Baldwin.
I think my jaw dropped as I looked at the photos of gorgeous and creative succulent container designs! My husband and son looked over my shoulder as I stood at the kitchen island pointing out incredible colors, forms and arrangements. The guys "got it" as I read a few passages to them about the low-maintenance of succulents.
Sitting down to read the book, I learned about the varieties of succulents that will work in my climate. Debra's how-to instructions on choosing plants to work with pots convinced me to try my hand at creating my first succulent container garden.
Debra's planting instructions are easy to follow and include choices in soil mixture as well as tricks and tips for getting the plants into the container. I found out that a soft paint brush is needed to gently brush the soil mixture from the plants without any damage.
Debra provides many inspirational designs that are making me think outside the standard container—succulent wreaths and topiaries as well as interesting objects that can be used as containers—including birdbaths, bathtubs and shelves.
It is so easy for me to recommend a garden book that inspired me enough to do what is described within the book!
Review written by Freda Cameron.
Succulent Container Gardens by Debra Lee Baldwin was provided courtesy of Timber Press:
Debra has wowed the gardening world with her new book Succulent Container Gardens, now see Debra Lee Baldwin's exclusive DIY video showing the easy steps to making one of her swoon-worthy succulent designs.
Sounds like a good book. I don't know much about succulents either. That sounds like a great container idea for my hot patio this summer. Carla
ReplyDeleteCarla
ReplyDeleteMy annuals always look tired by late July and August here, and I like that I can overwinter a container and not have to buy plants again the next year.
I'm pleased with my first container. I had a photo to post, but it was taken in the evening and looked too blue (and it isn't).
I'll write a follow-up that shows the simple design that I started with. I did find a local nursery with a good inventory of plants, but there's no way that i can find (locally) all of the fabulous plants that Debra shows. So, I'm going to start looking online.
I'm sold just by looking at the beautiful book cover! Hens and Chicks is about the extent of succulents for me.
ReplyDeleteI used sempervivum 'Red Rubin' and 'Icicle', a spineless agave and a bit of short sedum in my terra cotta oval-shaped container. It sits out on the teak dining.
ReplyDeleteI like using succelents in containers. I have (had) some in an old cement birdbath that had a leak (finally cracked and broke). The trick is to find those that are hardy to our area...7b. I will remember to look for this book once we are settled again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cameron. Seems like succulent container gardens are a 'hot' topic this spring ... many demos at local nurseries. I'm heading over to view the video. Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteNow, I want to read that book and see all those wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteHi Cameron
ReplyDeleteTimber press always come up with the goods. I've just stuck a copy in my Amazon basket.
That 'Oasis' nursery in the vid looks just incredible.
Hey C. I hear the book is beautiful and look forward to reading it. H.
ReplyDeleteHey friend...I watched Debra's video and loved the pot she put together. I got interested in succulents several years ago and have a rather large oval planter with succulents that I bring into the garage in the winter. Your post has prompted me to think about doing some more. By the way. I have found the house plant section of Lowes and Home Depot have a large selection of small succulents. When transplanted into a larger container and put outside to enjoy our HOT summers they double in size in no time. Thanks for sparking my interest in these amazing plants.
ReplyDeleteI too posted a review of Succulent Container Gardens and am in love with it just as you are. This book is so inspiring and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJanet - One of Debra's most beautiful examples in the book is of birdbaths and planted tiered fountains.
ReplyDeleteJoey - I watched the video before the book review. I was hooked!
Tatyana - I think you'll enjoy the book. I have no reservations at all about recommending it since I created a container garden based upon the instructions.
Helen - You'll love it!
Vikki - our local Lowe's didn't have a good selection, so I drove to Sanford to the greenhouses where I found plenty to choose from!
Kylee - I'll check out your review!
Rob - Succulents were everywhere we went in the south of France and I would think they work in Dordogne as well. Glad you ordered the book! You won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI'm backfilling my posts.
ReplyDeleteHere's My First Succulent Container Garden based on instructions from the book.
This is definitely a wonderful book. We've been interested in Agaves even living up here in the PNW and she has lots of ideas. Your container looks great.
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