Gardening from the couch: Succulent Container Gardens
She was writing about some of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Southern California when Debra Lee Baldwin noticed that more and more designers were using succulents in landscape designs.
Not only did they go well with the arid climate, but their lines and colors mixed well with contemporary architecture and its dramatic lines.
And, like so many of us who write about gardens, she began to purchase them for her own garden.
"It has become politically incorrect out here to have a lawn," said the author of the new book, "Succulent Container Gardens."
Succulents are the answer. "They like water and they look more lush and lovely when they get it. But they will make it through dry weather. They will hunker down and drain their leaves."
Photo credits: Debra Lee Baldwin
We gardeners in the Mid-Atlantic may not think about using succulents, but we should.
And Debra's new book, with dozens of photos of eye-catching plant and pot combinations, tells us how.
With plenty of drainage, succulents in pots can handle the early season rain we often get in our micro-climate. And, better yet, succulents can handle the August-Septembers heat and drought without missing a beat.
And no worries about who is going to water while we are on vacation!
"They don't like to be cold and wet," Debra warned. But many varieties will go dormant in the protected cold of a winter garage and re-emerge in spring. The cold actually encourages blooming.
Planting them in containers makes it that much easier to move them inside for the winter.
And dotting the garden with these imaginative plant/pot combinations can add interest during a lull in blooming.
Lawn and garden centers, even here in in the East, are carrying more succulents and others can be ordered on-line. Succulents are easy to propigate, too, if you have someone who will share.
Like Debra, I have been seduced by succulents, and I am going to plant my deck pots with them this year.
It will be such a different look.
And such a relieve not to have to water morning and night.
I am giving away two copies of Succulent Container Gardens. I will randomly choose a couple of winners from among those posting comments here.
Comments
I would love to have a succulent plant. I've never had one, so this would be a great opportunity to try my hand with one. Xeriscaping is the smartest option that a gardener can aspire to.
You and me both, Notable M!
Posted by: NotableM | March 14, 2010 9:00 AM
Color me intrigued by this idea, Susan.
Gorgeous photos!
Posted by: Dahlink | March 14, 2010 10:18 AM
Succulents are the best! I bought my first one, a Haworthia, in Florida four or five years ago and hand-carried it back to Maryland (airport security and fellow passengers kept wanting to touch it, asking if it was "one of those burn plants," i.e., an aloe). I put it out on my patio, but its pot was knocked over one night by a visiting raccoon, breaking many of the plant's perfect tips. Now it resides in my office with a number of other succulents, and people are always stopping by to admire it. This book on succulents would be a great addition to my library!
Posted by: Sheila | March 14, 2010 2:07 PM
Sheila, you're in good company. Haworthias are highly collectible. The Japanese in particular can't get enough of them, and since haworthias are readily hybridized---even by hobbiests---there's no end to the cultivars (although at first they all look a lot alike). Haworthias also are ideal windowsill plants because they stay small, need repotting infrequently and thrive in low-light conditions.
Thanks for jumping in Debra!!!--Still open for comments posted to GV. You have a chance to win her new book!--Susan
Posted by: Debra Lee Baldwin | March 15, 2010 6:43 PM
Debra has inspired me to do amazing things with my succulents. A plant I was always afraid to add to my garden collection is now something I search for each time I go garden shopping.
Off to TWEET this because once again SUSAN - You did a fabulous job writing about a real gardener who gives back to the garden world.
Posted by: Bren | March 15, 2010 7:07 PM
Hi Debra,
I'm a fellow garden writer living in the SF Bay Area. We bay area gardeners love our succulents and as a suburbanite, I LOVE using containers to gain more growing space. You're book looks fabulous - so I'm tossing my hat into the ring!
Posted by: Chris McLaughlin | March 15, 2010 7:08 PM
Debra's previous book is loaded with gorgeous images & inspiration and I have no doubt that this one is even better. I have been following Debra on twitter for over a year now @DebraLBaldwin and am in awe of her - she is wonderfully friendly & really knows her stuff! I would LOVE a copy of her new book.
Posted by: Jane Kelly-Yandell | March 15, 2010 7:13 PM
I living in Brazil, I love the work of Debra Lee Baldwin and succulents.
I have another book, very good!
Posted by: Lidiane Piekarski | March 15, 2010 7:14 PM
this book is on my wishlist! it is gorgeous. i had never really considered succulents beyond sedum before i saw it. drought in the southeast over the last few years has made all of us xeriscapers, or at least a lot more interested in drought-tolerant plants. of course this winter the rain won't stop! but i'll bet succulents in containers would fare well anyway, wouldn't they?
Posted by: Daricia | March 15, 2010 7:15 PM
I always thought I had a black thumb, until I discovered cacti and succulents. Now I have them everywhere. I make arrangements in mostly thrift shop containers, and always consider shape and color as critical elements. I'm a poor artist, but I strive to make the plants look like a million bucks!
Posted by: Kathi cambiano | March 15, 2010 8:09 PM
"Seduced by succulents" indeed! Ever since Andrew Keys posted photos from Debra's book ( http://bit.ly/ajsEvI ) I've had a completely new appreciation for these plants. Unfortunately, New England isn't the best place to grow these (wet summers, little sun in my yard ...) so looking at the photos will just have to do it for me!
Posted by: Kari Lønning | March 15, 2010 8:16 PM
Debra always inspires me and I love getting fresh ideas from her books... The photos are always beautiful!
Posted by: Shelley Moore | March 15, 2010 11:25 PM
My small collection of succulents is rather haphazardly potted, but Debra's exquisitely photographed book will inspire me to upgrade how they're combined and shown.
She deserves props for showing succulents' incredible range of colors and forms, and for her sky's-the-limit creativity in displaying them to best advantage.
Thanks, Debra, for doing your part to leave the world more beautiful than you found it!
Posted by: Jane | March 16, 2010 12:06 AM
Love succulents, your photos, and your books. Thank you so much.
Posted by: Regina Wagner | March 16, 2010 2:33 PM
I set up a brom/succulent garden at Umina Beach residence with native trees as well.
I'm now in Balmain with a tiny paved back are and find the micro concept difficult to visualize. The backyard is a blank canvas yet I feel frozen about how to approach it. I have an idea for a brom wall but don't have the total picture in my head as I did with Umina . Also there is no soil at all. All paved will your book help me.
It is a great book, Heather. But I gave away my copies long ago! You should get it. It is terrific. -- Susan
Posted by: heather trainer | November 24, 2010 8:12 PM