Saturday, July 28, 2012

Planting succulent gardens

My niece Jess (from Colorado), my mom and I made a bunch of succulent gardens.  Jess had been wanting to make some succulent arrangements and so when mom and I went to visit, we worked on that!  Jess took us to a wonderful place, Windsor Gardener in Fort Collins, where we found a ton of great plants!

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Our assistant Brady showed us how to pick the best plants, he was such a big help!

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Flying pigs always distract me…I forgot momentarily what I was looking for!  So, anyway, we looked around and found these plants…

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I found this beautiful flower pot, but thought it might be too tall to fit in my carry on bag!

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At home, Jess found all sorts of pots and glass containers (the white pots came from Ikea, $2 each, and the giant Brandy sniffer came from Home Goods, $8). 

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We also used various and assorted glass vases that Jess had on hand.

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First add some rocks to the bottom of the containers for drainage.

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Just make that layer about an inch deep…

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Then add some soil.  I know there is a cactus/succulent mix but the folks at the garden center said they use their regular mix.  Well, if it works for them, that was good enough for us!

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Add just a half inch or so of soil to the container, don’t shake it and mix it, just layer it on top of the rocks.

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Next, decide which plants you want to use in the container.  We picked a tall plant and a “roaming” or vining succulent and then added some moss.  Pull some of the dirt off the root base, a few of the plants I trimmed the roots if they were really tangled and tight.

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Just try them out and see what looks good where, rearrange the plants as needed and use the soil to fill in the spaces around the plants, tapping the dirt down around the roots.

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I used a pastry brush to clean the dirt off the plants.

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And I further cleaned off the plants with a stream of water from a oil/vinegar shaker (or a dishwashing soap dispenser which is what I use my shaker bottle for…you get the idea!).  Add some more soil if needed to even out the surface.

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Add just a few decorative rocks and you are done!

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If the container needs to be wiped off, use a paper towel lightly moistened with glass cleaner.

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Now stand back and admire your handwork!  We went on to fill these other containers…

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This plant was aptly named cobweb hen and chicks!

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Here we mixed a hen and chicks with a jade plant and some crawling ground cover…

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Then we had a great time scattering them around the house. 

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Succulents like north or west sunny spots and infrequent watering…however if you add any non-succulent plants, they may need to be watered more frequently.  Yellowing leaves usually mean that the plants are getting over watered, but it can also mean the plants are too dry. 

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Here they are catching some morning rays.

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A jade plant in the office with a succulent arrangement…

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A few on coffee table books…

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and a grouping on the kitchen counter…and that’s a wrap!  Seriously we had a blast creating…

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And mom was engrossed in a really good book on her iPad, she kept moving around to avoid being in the background of a shot.  We might have had some distraction with this little guy too!  He is too irresistible!

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I am linking to these great parties!

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21 comments:

Kara at Petals to Picots said...

Beautiful planting ideas!

Sally said...

I love the succulents! I never knew the fact that succulents like the west sun... no wonder my donkey's tail does so well in the spot that I have it!

I'm getting ready to make terrariums with my friend this week :)

Angela said...

These turned out great! Do you keep them all indoors or are some for outside?

Jill said...

Some great succlulents there Ellen! And it sounds like you've had a fun family time!


Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Lindsey said...

These are wonderful! I love succulents; they are so beautiful! Unfortunately I do not seem to have luck with plants... not even succulents! I got some a few weeks back and they are slowly dying. I am not sure what I am doing wrong! I have read many articles about succulent care as well; all with conflicting directions. Any insider tips? :)

Lisa @ Flour Me With Love said...

These are beautiful and so easy too! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :) The baby is adorable!

Etcetorize said...

So cute, great planting tips too! I've never been lucky with indoor plants but maybe I could pull this off. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize this week!

Jen said...

Love the plantings in the oversized brandy glass where you can see all the layers! I planted my very 1st succlents 3 weeks ago and so far so good - they've even grown some. Very easy to care for {knock on wood!}

Stephanie said...

Lovely--the owl is so cute!

CC said...

Great ideas! Can't wait to give it a try. ;)

Anonymous said...

I saw your succulent link-up on A Creative Princess and thought I'd stop by and show some love. Those are some very attractive arrangements! I've managed to kill two of my plants so far. :( I think I'm watering too much. (Who the heck waters TOO much??? lol)

Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker said...

I love succulents! Thanks for sharing! Here from HofH.

Judy Biggerstaff said...

You have inspired me, I have been wanting to plant succulents. I don't live too far from you here in Clinton, MO.

Honey at 2805 said...

Your little succulent gardens are so sweet! Even sweeter that precious baby! What a charmer!

Thank you for sharing your creativity at Potpourri Friday!

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

These turned out great. I love the density and richness of succulents.

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

i have been wanting to create some succulent pots for a long time, i think this may have finally been the last bit of inspiration i need to actually do it! thanks : ) your turned out lovely btw.

Michele said...

Your succulent plantings turned out great. I have developed a real fascination with these plants over the past year or so and continue to add to my collection. Most of mine are just singles in pots, though, not nice arrangements like you all came up with.

Amy said...

They all turned out fabulous!

And I can see while little Brady would be distracting! He is so so cute.

Connie Nelson said...

That is beautiful! You have just the right touch! Thanks for linking with me :)

Candace @ Candace Creations said...

I love this post! thanks for sharing...it's being featured on this weekends linkup!

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

What beautiful plants! And you did a great job on your tutorial. Thanks so much for linking up on Fabulous Friday at Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust. {Sorry I'm running late - I've been on vacation.}

Warmly, Michelle