Succulents in Victoria
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A primer for planters What is a succulent? ‘Succulent’ is not a family/genera/species name Any plant that stores water in stems and leaves Can be tender (tropical) or hardy (up to zone 3) Examples: Sempervivum Sedum Aloe Haworthia Cactus Echeveria Why grow them? Unusual shapes and textures, architectural Do well in difficult places like hot rocky slopes Easy care, minimal water, no fertilization needed Many have interesting flowers Suitable for theme or mini-gardens Collector mania! In Victoria Summer drought They are not cacti: still need some water Most can take our sun Winter rains – protect from waterlogged soil Hardy succulents: under eaves or in free draining soil Tender – Cool greenhouse, bright indoor window Take a chance! Care for hardy succulents Good drainage Water only when dry Ideal Soil: pH 7, high mineral * Rocks or gravel mulch Sun in Victoria Hardy succulents best in tough environment Granite dust fertilizer * will grow in anything Succulent species Sempervivum: houseleeks, hens & chicks Very tough, easy care, interesting variations Sempervivum arachnoides – spider web hens & chicks Foliage looks like flowers, radiating from a centre Small Sedum Unusual leaf shape, colour & texture, adapted for survival: S. rupestre ‘Angelina’ S. spurium ‘Red Dragon’ S. Makinoi ‘Ogon’ Native S. spathulifolium Most can take low temperatures Less water, more attractive And others... Crassula family Bonsai Jade, Crassula sarcocaulis, hardy to -9C Delosperma nubigenum Hardy Ice Plant Zone 5 Tender plants: Aloe - part shade Haworthia - low water Kalachoe – sun colour Aeonium – VERY tender Echeveria - zone 9 Have fun with succulents! Use your broken pots to make fairy gardens More ideas... Topiary Window boxes Vertical planters Corsages, boutonnieres Rock gardens, under steps Grow in any kind of container* Living wreaths and centrepieces Grow in tubes that are tucked here and there * As long as there’s drainage Planting a succulent container Key: GOOD DRAINAGE! Drain hole or (with care) gravel base 2 - 6 inches soil Soil mix – 1/3 loam, 2/3 drainage material Arrange your plants Rocks or gravel on top Planting in pictures Here are the supplies And the plant material... Sempervivum, crassula, sedum, delosperma Preparation Soil mixed ahead of time Sandy loam Drainage material Granite dust If root bound, clip bottom off Prune off any broken branches and dead flowers First the base Cover the drainage hole so soil won’t wash out Build up soil on bottom and one side of pot Ways to arrange your plants Fine Gardening way: Thriller - focal point Spiller - adds vertical line Filler – fills in the gaps Other ways: Symmetrical Exceptional plant only (bonsai) Container colour or texture Theme based Cover the soil Rocks Stores heat in day, releases at night Mimics natural habitat Can enhance style or theme Hide the perlite! Gravel Prevents splashed soil Good drainage plus mulch Colour and texture echoes No drainage? Make a reservoir Gravel base covered by screening Chicken grit mulch The final arrangement Ready for indoors or outdoors All plants we used are hardy in Victoria (to -9C) Put in dry place for winter, under eaves or roof Thanks to Nat for providing the plant material http://www.stupidgardenplants.com/ Father’s day sale of perennials corner of Fairfield and Cook Street.