A Gardener Shows Off

[zia_montrose]

Four summers ago, my sister and I planted cactus & succulent gardens as a fun "art project" to do together.  Since these plants are not cold tolerant, I have to bring the pots indoors every winter.  This is a pain, of course, and the plants look gloomy during that time, but it's all worth it when it comes to this:

Comments

[eudorahawkins]

Is that Echeveria (aka Hens and Chicks)? I had no idea they flowered like that! How beautiful! This makes me want to go plant some. Thanks for sharing your pix. What other succulents did you plant?

[zia_montrose]

There are three different succulents in this pot and it just figures that I don't know the name of the one that is in bloom. So...at front and center (lime green with pink edges) is the Echeveria. I just looked up "Hens and chicks" and my book calls it Sempervivum. My neighbor has it planted; it is cold hardy here. I haven't personally seen it flower, but I find it endearing the way it really does have that semblance of a hen and her chicks. As for the other two in the pot, the fuzzy looking one with brown dots on its edges is kalanchoe (common name "mules ear"). It's really fun to touch--like a peach, only fuzzier. Just from looking, I think the third one might also be a kalanchoe of some sort

[eudorahawkins]

Am taking notes. I'll have to check out the succulent section the next time I visit the nursery.

And, yes, I used to be an avid gardener. But since I began writing more, my garden gets neglected. That and we have a visiting deer which chomps my roses.

[eudorahawkins]

But since I began writing more, my garden gets neglected.

No, they aren't symbiotic! *laughs*

[gabrielladusult]

My mom usually gets some succulents every year and I've always liked them -- she never gets so creative with them, though -- that is a beautiful arrangement.

We just pitched the second of two plants that were welcome to the neighborhood gifts from some of our neighbors -- I have no idea how to care for living things that are not my children (and time will tell how I'm doing with them, I guess).

[zia_montrose]

Succulents are a lot of fun. And there are so many to choose from.

I'd say you're making the right choice by focusing on the kiddos. Plants are time consuming! They seem to appeal to me in a way that I can't always resist. I think it's the nature lover in me.

Hey, if those plants weren't going to work for you in the long run, it's best to pitch them now before you devote lots of time and energy to them. I find it very sad to kill plants that I've had for any length of time. I have to trim these down to a crew cut for winter when they go dormant (or else they'll get stringy like Snape's hair) and it feels like something out of The Gift of the Magi.

[anyaxstrindberg]

Awww! They're so pretty! I love little container gardens like that! I'm deeply envious of anyone who can get plants to grow for them! i'm soooo bad at it, the only thing I've managed to keep alive thus far is a cactus - and only because it delights in neglect!

[zia_montrose]

Delights in neglect... Yeah, cacti kick butt like that. So do succulents for that matter. And of course, poppies, of which we've already spoken. ; )