The Amazing World of Succulents

Ruffled Echeveria

An underwater scene or life from another planet? Indeed, our own planet earth is home to this amazing group of plants. Long since are the days when the well loved 'Hens and Chicks' (a Sempervivum) were my only idea of succulents. The world of succulents is vast, beautiful, exotic, sculptural and fascinating and can add a whole new dimension to your landscape!

Mixed planting of Succulents on a mound

With our focus strongly turned towards water conservation and drought tolerant solutions, creating a succulent garden, succulent corner, mixed planting bed including succulents or succulent containers is not only an interesting addition to a landscape, but a water-wise choice. Though the particular microclimate must be considered (many succulents enjoy the marine layer and don't like hot blazing inland sun) succulents can flourish here in California given the right planting environment.

Echeverias

Knowing where plants originated helps to understand their microclimate needs. Succulents are plants that have adapted to mostly harsh environments where water was not always available, sometimes going for long periods of time without water .

Aloes & Cacti

According to Robin Stockwell, owner of Succulent Gardens Nursery in Castroville, CA and an expert on succulents, “There are three environments that caused this adaptation: the desert (hot and dry), the alpine regions (cold and frozen) and the tropics (wet and salty).” Partially due to these challenging origins, Robin calls succulents “The Conservationists of the plant world”. They have learned to conserve their need for and use of water.

Stone wall at Succulent Gardens Nursery with
Echeveria tucked into crevices

Virtually all succulents have a thick skin or protective coating that actually seals in moisture and minimizes evaporation. Thus their name. The coating may be white and powdery or waxy and blue-green. Spines can also provide some sun protection. They need a porous, well draining soil to thrive, and once established, like to fully dry out between waterings. They do not do well with 'wet feet' or roots, so the porosity of the soil should be adjusted to your climate. The wetter the climate, the more porous.

Bougainvillea with giant Cacti

Many succulents prefer some shade or protection from intense direct sun, doing well with as little as 2-3 hours of direct sun each day. There are also those succulents that thrive in hot sun. Cacti by definition are succulents belonging to the Cactaceae family. They like more light and sun and prefer less water than many other succulents. Southwest style or desert theme gardens are perfect for these, but they can be carefully worked into some other garden styles.

Mixed Planting with Miniature Cacti & Boulders

When planning and planting your garden, keep in mind that all plants tend to grow and reach towards the sun. Also, since succulents don't like their roots to stay in water, planting on berms is one way to assist natural drainage. Though not essential by any means to plant this way, it does take advantage of gravity and the natural flow of water/drainage. Plant succulents on the tops and sides of the berm, rather than at the base which naturally tends to catch more of the water. Save this area for plants or groundcover that need that extra water.

Aeonium 'Sunburst' & Senecio Planting

The variety of forms available in succulents range from very low growing groundcovers to very large forms, to even tree-like forms in size and shape. They go from soft to spiky in texture and from bright, playful colors to soft muted pastels. Often they have sculptural forms that set them apart and allow them to easily be used as focal points. Mixing them with other drought tolerant plants allows for even more expansion of the palette and textures.

Succulent Living Green Wall

Living green walls are becoming very popular and these can be created with succulents as well as other plants. The photo above and several others were taken at Succulent Gardens Nursery. I highly recommend visiting them if you haven't been. They grow a vast and beautiful array of succulents.

Succulents (senecio mandraliscae) mixed with other perennials
add a juicy texture, color and form to this window box.

Whatever opportunity you might have in your landscape for adding succulents, be it a complete new design, to a little vignette or corner, the unique features of succulents enable seemingly endless creative opportunity for beauty and interest! Enjoy!



There are several wonderful reference books for Succulents. Two of my favorites are by Deborah Baldwin: "Designing with Succulents" & "Succulent Container Gardens".

Judy Maier, is a member of APLD, and a Landscape/Garden Designer, Garden Coach and Aesthetic Pruner serving the South Bay, Peninsula East Bay and entire SF Bay Area. You can find her several ways: As 'Judy’s Gardens and Design' on Facebook; "GardenDance' on Twitter., www.gardendancing.blogspot.com is her blog and her website is www.judysgardens.com. She can be reached by phone at 408 398-3161

Countdown to the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show!

San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, 2007

As is the case every year at this time, the excitement is building for garden lovers near and far! We're less than one month away and counting the days til the gates of the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show open on March 24, 2010.

sffgs, 2007

Five days of garden immersion including inspirational design (25 amazing display gardens), fascinating learning (over 70 free and incredible seminars taught by experts!), gorgeous plants and everything garden (over 200 exhibitors).

sffgs, 2007

As a landscape designer and environmental horticulturalist it is one of the most inspirational and anticipated events of the year, and for me, was one of the powerful and delightful influences that drew me to this second career. Being a San Francisco native, I've always been so proud to have a show like this right here in the Bay Area.

sffgs, 2007

If you've never been, I encourage you to come to this year's show!
The theme is "Gardens for the Future" and the subject of sustainability will pervade. If past shows are any indication, so will innovation and creativity. Come and learn the latest about green solutions and what it means in the landscape.

sffgs, 2009

This year the show has been getting lots of social media attention with their presence on Facebook, Twitter, and many garden blogs. You can follow the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show on Facebook for the latest up to date and background news on the show, as well as the Show website.

sffgs, 2004

One of the most enthralling things each year is the display gardens. This part of the show has always captured me as I've 'grown up' as a garden designer, and I consistently walk away charged, excited and inspired from the creativity and beautiful solutions - honored to be part of a community of such talented and committed people. Looking forward to being a 'garden creator' at the show myself, I take my hat off to all those who have been and who are this time around. I can't wait to see what you've come up with for this year!

sffgs, 2004

Having experienced first hand being a part of a team to coordinate and build a few of these gardens, I can tell you that preparation takes place for many months, sometimes over a year before. After a concept has been born and accepted for one of these gardens, a team is pulled together to create the vision, work out the mechanics and logistics, and coordinate funds and donations to make it all happen. It is an incredible time, energy and financial commitment, but also can be very fulfilling.

sffgs, 2004

Much detailed project coordination is needed so that it all comes together like clockwork in the end, as the gardens must be built in a couple of days - features working, plants, boulders and structures in place and systems functioning so that it all stays alive and fresh for the 10 days before during and after the exhibit. It is a highly coordinated effort which involves the largest cranes and tractors to the most artistic and sensitive touch ...

sffgs, 2004

What goes on behind the scenes to build these gardens is quite amazing and mind boggling. I have often wished that people could see this aspect of the event... and was excited when this video came out.... its a short video of the incredible transformation that goes on each year in the 10 days before, during and after the show.

sffgs, 2004

Every day, all day long there are educational, fun Seminars to be taken in, given by experts in their field on a variety of garden subjects. From talents such as Bernard Trainor, a master of design, to Saxon Holt and John Greenlee (photographer and author of the 'American Meadow Garden'), to the unique and subtle experience of Yuki Nara speaking on Aesthetic Pruning of Japanese Maples.

There is Robin Stockwell and Debra Baldwin speaking at different times on Succulents, Alane Weber on Composting, Rosalind Creasy and Kathleen Brenzel both speaking at different times on Edible Landscaping, not to mention Keeyla Meadows on 'fearless' color in the garden, and so, so many fantastic others - I wish I had space to mention them all! See the Seminar schedule for details on each day's offerings and you can plan your day (at least tentatively) beforehand... of course you could easily and delightfully get side tracked by all there is to see and buy with the hundreds of juicy vendors that will be there.

sffgs, 2009

On all accounts, this year is gearing up to be stellar with amazing new features and vendors, and fantastic cost savings for tickets (now with one ticket getting you into all 5 days of the show)!

I'll be there for most of the show. Look forward to seeing you there!

sffgs, 2007

It's a New Day... a New Year... Hello 2010!

It's the last day of 2009 and the 'dead' of winter.... but the promise of Spring and a new year is already present for me (as I'm sure for many of you). It has been a challenging year... certainly it has given us the opportunity to appreciate how fortunate we are, what really is important, what we may have taken for granted.

I find it interesting that the beginning of the year does not find us yet in Spring, the time of beginnings, but instead in winter, a time of death, ending, of hibernation and gestation. I suppose it's one way that life has of telling us that this period of death is an important part of the process and must happen before new life can emerge...

I do my best to respect the cycles of life. My work designing and caring for gardens helps to reinforce that concept and certainly to see beauty in each season... yet it is sometimes so tempting to want to leap forward and to forget the process of gestation...

Since I decided not to publicize my blog but to a small circle until I had at least two entries, January 1st 2010 is like Spring to me... something inside me is being born... my gestation process already completed in this regard. Interesting that numerous cycles at different stages are going on simultaneously and all the time within us and in the world...

But the cycles of nature stay true...

I wish you a good gestation this winter, and also a little promise of things to come this year - of newness, of freshness, of enlightened beginnings.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Blog is Born.... Fall in the Garden

Though fleeting, fall is one of my favorite times

in the garden with its myriad of burnt & vivid

oranges, reds golds and yellows against the green

backgrounds of evergreens... so rather than

the normal introductory first blog, which will

come later, I'd like to take you through the

garden gate with a little fall garden tour...

if you would...

The glorious fall color of Japanese Maples growing in

a quiet corner of the property of 'Love Apple Farm',

whose main focus is to provide food for the gourmet

restaurant 'Manresa' of Los Gatos, CA. More on this

inspiring place in a future post.

Japanese maples are a favorite tree in every

season. They are becoming my specialty when
it comes to aesthetic pruning (see the articles
section) Looking forward to pruning the Love
Apple Farms maples soon.

Designing a garden with seasonal interest

(interesting things going on in every season),

is one of the fun and involving challenges that

we as designers have the opportunity to face

time and time again. It is very rewarding work.

Autumnal interest in a Japanese style garden I designed and care for...

Thank you for visiting!

Wherever you are this fall, I hope you are enjoying

the season. I look forward to exploring the world of

fine garden design, fine garden care, aesthetic pruning,

bringing the inside out and the outside in to homes,

sustainable and green solutions, caring for the planet,
nursery and horticultural travels,

and the explorations and challenges of a single,

female artist/entrepreneur as she survives and thrives,

creating bounty and success in a business she loves...

as her profession and the world change at a rapid pace.

Questions for my readers:

What are your favorite trees for fall color?

What are you looking for in your garden?

What subjects would you like this post to cover?

How do you feel about the gardens shown on this post?

Feedback is welcome and I look forward to having you

back to visit often.

Judy