The first time I saw Agave ‘Blue Glow’, in a photo like the one above, I thought I was looking at a watercolor painting. A Kelly Griffin hybrid, it entered the nursery trade in 2005, and has since become one of the most commercially successful succulents. It does well in containers or in the ground, grows no larger than[...]
Create a Cold-Tolerant Succulent Wreath
– Posted in: Succulents December 15, 2014This lovely succulent wreath is suitable for regions of the US where winters are as cold as 10 to 15 degrees F. Cold-hardy succulents include small sedums (stonecrops), sempervivums (hens and chicks), and Crassula sarcocaulis (bonsai crassula). Above is Katie Christensen of Waterwise Botanicals Nursery with a wreath she and I made for YouTube. Materials include a[...]
Aloes in Kelly Griffin’s Garden
– Posted in: Succulents December 6, 2014Kelly Griffin is a succulent breeder for Altman Plants, the largest grower of succulents and cacti in the US. Kelly is renowned for his aloe hybrids—unusual and colorful succulents new to the nursery marketplace. In Kelly’s own garden are aloes yet to be introduced, that he’s experimenting with, growing for flowers so he can harvest the[...]
Succulent Watercolor Calendar Giveaway
– Posted in: Succulents November 21, 2014ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS! Nearly 50 people entered to win, so with five calendars to give away, the odds were about one in ten. The winners are (drum roll): Marty O’Brien (Palm Springs); Odette Allen (Phoenix); Francine Schmidt (Vermont); Shirley Kost (Los Angeles); and Fernando Huerto (San Diego). Like photography, watercolor is all about light. When saturated paint right[...]
Stunning Succulent Arrangements
– Posted in: Succulents November 6, 2014I have wonderful news! I’m very pleased to announce my in-depth online class: Stunning Succulent Arrangements. It’s available through Craftsy, a Denver-based company that offers a fresh, high-quality approach to online learning. Craftsy began in 2011, and their success has been phenomenal, doubtless due to their dedication to quality. Craftsy spends upward of $15,000 to develop[...]