Recently a friend came by with a fire pit she’d picked up on a community website for free. Before bringing it over, she drilled holes in it for drainage. Naturally we both thought it would be perfect for succulents, but deciding to make a little scene took a lot of brainstorming and hunting around my[...]
Tricky Weeds? Tweezers, Please
– Posted in: Succulents September 6, 2017Have you noticed? Fingers are sometimes too short, fat and clumsy for picking bits of dirt, dried leaves and pebbles from plants with narrow leaf axils, rosette succulents and spiny cacti. Which is why I wouldn’t be without my long-handled tweezers. Not only is debris unsightly, it holds moisture that can rot the crown. I like to groom fleshy or[...]
Book Release and Giveaway: Designing with Succulents
– Posted in: Contests and Giveaways, Succulents August 24, 2017I’m pleased to announce the release of my new book: The completely revised and updated second edition of Designing with Succulents! Take a 2-minute tour of the book ~ I’m also delighted to announce a special giveaway sponsored by publisher Timber Press and Garden Design magazine! Winner will receive a copy of the book AND[...]
Succulent Design: Hanging Pots and Bold Boulders
– Posted in: Succulents August 21, 2017My latest YouTube releases illustrate the wide range of possibilities inherent in designing with succulents. In Pairing Succulents with Hanging Pots, you’ll meet Alicia Iraclides of Potted Arts in Fallbrook, CA. I select and plant several of her pots and explain why they’re a perfect match for succulents. (Hint: Those copper hooks! Those glazes! The carved details!) In Sharon’s Sun and Shadow Succulent Garden, I ditch a[...]
How to Water Your Summer Garden
– Posted in: Seasonal Gardening, Succulents August 8, 2017If you live where summers are hot and dry, irrigation or the lack thereof can mean life or death to prized plants. These tips will help your garden survive the dog days. — Check your automatic irrigation system. Trust me, it needs it. Watch for leafy growth blocking sprayers, clogged riser heads, and plugged drip lines. — Pay[...]