Designing succulents into the garden
Of all the different kinds of plants, there is no group with more variety in size shape, color and texture than succulents. Succulents are plants that have adapted to their environments by evolving the ability to store water in altered leaves or stems. By storing water in the plant tissues these plants can handle uneven rainfall and the occasional drought. Because succulent adaptations have occurred in a variety of climates, not all succulents will thrive in the same conditions. Some can take cold, some are frost sensitive, some bask happily in full sun while others demand shade, some can take dry soil whereas others need more water. Just as different plants grow in different conditions they also take an assortment of forms from tall to short, fuzzy to smooth, rosette or sword shaped. Because there is such a wide range of growth habits in the world of succulents they offer one of the best plant materials you can use for designing.
Succulents can be designed with other plants to offer textures and sculptural forms, cover ground where other plants will suffer from fast drainage, or create gardens of their own. They are ideal for planting vertical walls or green roofs where their small roots and spreading habits can be fashioned into patterns or pictures.
If you want excellent and detailed information on succulents, check out Debra Lee Baldwin’s books on designing and using succulents in the garden and in containers.
At the recent Pacific Horticultural Symposium held in Pasadena, speaker and succulent garden expert, Patrick Anderson offered suggestions on how you can use succulents to create a beautiful garden of your own. Whether using succulents in special containers, growing them on unusual surfaces like living walls or green roofs, or insinuating them into your landscape design and gardens, these plants can add wonderful effects to your plant designs. I was fortunate to nab Patrick for a short, informal interview at the symposium. Please check out the video to hear some of this expert’s tips on designing succulents into the garden.
Rolling Greens hosts the launch of ‘Garden Design Hollywood’ magazine
Garden Design Magazine launched their new Hollywood magazine in the glitzy surroundings of Rolling Greens. If you haven’t visited this fun location then you haven’t seen some of the classiest decor you can find for gardening indoors and out as well as interior design, home decor, books and more.
The opulent surroundings painted the perfect setting for celebrating the new magazine. Top garden designers, photographers, garden authors and specialists rubbed shoulders with celebrities like Oscar winning actor Jon Voight (also dad of Angelina Jolie), award-winning producer R.J. Cuttler, actor Bryan Cranston, and the people who make ‘Garden Design Magazine’ the esteemed landscape magazine it is.
Garden designer expert and media goddess Shirley Bovshow was on hand to document the event and you will be able to join her at this event on her up-coming, online airing of ‘The Garden World Report‘.
I was there with my tiny, unassuming Flip video camera and you can come with me on my little, informal video tour of Rolling Greens and the launch of ‘Garden Design Hollywood’ magazine:
Pet blog video goes funny
I just had to add this little video. For those of you who do home videos — especially with pets or children — you know that having a co-star means things don’t always go the way you expect. So here is one try that didn’t quite fit into the image I wanted for my welcome page of this blog. This is just one way a pet blog video can go funny:
Living wall systems and green roof technology
The greening of the landscape industry has offered many new concepts and tools. This year green roofs and vertical gardens or living walls have been getting a lot of press. When I went to the CLCA Landscape Industry Show recently, I found a booth set up by ‘Bright Green’ where I was able to see the materials and some sample designs in action. I have to say that the demonstrations were even more interesting than the few photo examples I’ve seen on the internet. And looking at the structures up close and personal gave me a chance to see just how easy they would be to assemble my own living wall systems and green roof technology.
It is fascinating to see how the ancient concept of roofing with green, living materials has evolved. Current kits allow you to roof a shed, patio cover or any other structure roof with trays that are a variation of the 6-packs you see sold with flowers and vegetables. A rubber liner will protect the roof itself over which is placed a container system that makes provisions for water to drain away. Nothing could be more natural. Yet with clever planting the roof can become not only excellent insulation, but downright artistic.
The same concept is used for creating living walls. Vertical gardening can be used to divide spaces on your patio or garden, to create passageways, to block unwanted views or to disguise ugly walls. The walls can be designed in artistic patterns or even pictures. Check out the video below to see some of the basics offered by ‘Bright Green’. Maybe you’ll find yourself inspired to add a living wall system or some green roof technology to your own garden. And you aren’t limited to using these ideas exclusively in the landscape. You can plant a vertical living wall garden with indoor plants to add a beautiful conversation piece to your interior living space, too.
Dog play: how to USE a garden
As a gardener living in a water-scarce part of the country, I am not a fan of designing lawns where they are not actively useful. But lawns do have their uses. I only have a limited patch of lawn on my property, but this is one way I like using it. Basil, my dog, enjoys it, too.
Gophers: the sneak attack
They creep up underground when you least expect them.
The best way to avoid gopher damage is to set in wire hardware cloth or other protection beneath the soil at planting time.
Snail invaders
Do you talk to your garden invaders?
Snails love the soft new growth of vegetables.
Lovable lawn pests
Lawns can be a challenge for pet lovers….
My favorite lawn pests.
Gophers!
Gophers defeat even a big, heavy agave plant.
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