Never mind how practical they are for waterwise gardens, what we really love about succulents is how they LOOK. The eye simply revels in symmetry, and no category of plants do it better. So, of all the succulents that are symmetrical, which are over the top? These are from my latest YouTube release, “Favorite Scenes from the Succulent [...]
Fibonacci spiral
Fibonacci Spirals
April 6, 2014 – Posted in: SucculentsSunflowers and nautilus shells exhibit a geometric spiral that is found in many cacti and succulents. I thought you might enjoy some examples. Isn’t nature amazing? This is Aloe polyphylla, the spiral aloe. Next, some cacti. These are Sempervivum arachnoideum (cobweb houseleeks). This is a Medusa euphorbia. And another mammillaria. If the spiral form of [...]
Jewels of the Cactus and Succulent Show
August 20, 2013 – Posted in: Garden Adventures, SucculentsSucculent enthusiasts flock to the annual Cactus & Succulent Society Show at the Los Angeles Arboretum mid-August. It’s the largest of its kind in the US. Judges award ribbons and trophies based on how well a specimen is grown, its rarity, and how well it’s “staged” in its pot. Pots aren’t merely containers, they’re works [...]
Why I Love Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)
January 2, 2013 – Posted in: Garden Plants, SucculentsOf all the succulents I grow, ghost plants are among the easiest and most remarkable. They are true survivors. Damaged stem? No problem. No water? The plant hunkers down and looks pretty much the same for months. Frost? It’s gotten down to 17 degrees in my garden, and the graptopetalums were fine. The common name [...]
Why I Can’t Resist Cactus Flowers
June 20, 2012 – Posted in: Garden AdventuresI can’t help it. I’m fascinated by cactus. Cactus used to be a non-category of plants to me. But here’s the thing: I love looking at them. I’ve started a small collection. I’m wary of course, I know they bite. Cacti are a little like having an exotic pet. You admire it, but keep it [...]