As water becomes in shorter and shorter supply with this persistent drought here in Southen California, succulent gardens are becoming more popular in place of the more traditional landscapes. There are a few things that I think should be considered, however, when planting succulents in the landscape.
1. Just because they are succulents,you can't just turn the water off on them. The still need a good, periodic, deep soak. Less frequently though in comparison to many other landscape plants. In many cases succulents may be only watered on a monthly basis when planted in the landscape. But they do require some irrigation. There are exceptions particularly during the hottest periods of the summer and/or when planted in full sun. Then succulents will require more frequent irrigation
2. Many succulents perform better in bright filtered light rather than in full sun. This is particularly true the further inland you get. Remember: they are succulents. NOT cactus!
3. Succulents grow. And I think this is the most overlooked aspect when using succulents in the landscape. The typically look amazing when first planted in the landscape. But as they grow, and once many of them bloom, they often get leggy, even straggly, often requiring replanting. I say replanting because once they have bloomed or just gotten leggy there is not much left with many succulents in the landscape. They do however provide good propagation materials for future plantings.
Let it be said that many succulents do hold their forms and look terrific for many years. This does not apply to all species, so choose carefully
The photos below were taken almost a year apart almost to the day at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California. You can see just how spectacular the earlier planting looks compared to the same planting one year later.
Something to think about.
Thanks for lookin'
Ron
1. Just because they are succulents,you can't just turn the water off on them. The still need a good, periodic, deep soak. Less frequently though in comparison to many other landscape plants. In many cases succulents may be only watered on a monthly basis when planted in the landscape. But they do require some irrigation. There are exceptions particularly during the hottest periods of the summer and/or when planted in full sun. Then succulents will require more frequent irrigation
2. Many succulents perform better in bright filtered light rather than in full sun. This is particularly true the further inland you get. Remember: they are succulents. NOT cactus!
3. Succulents grow. And I think this is the most overlooked aspect when using succulents in the landscape. The typically look amazing when first planted in the landscape. But as they grow, and once many of them bloom, they often get leggy, even straggly, often requiring replanting. I say replanting because once they have bloomed or just gotten leggy there is not much left with many succulents in the landscape. They do however provide good propagation materials for future plantings.
Let it be said that many succulents do hold their forms and look terrific for many years. This does not apply to all species, so choose carefully
The photos below were taken almost a year apart almost to the day at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California. You can see just how spectacular the earlier planting looks compared to the same planting one year later.
Something to think about.
Thanks for lookin'
Ron
Taken on 3/21/2014
Taken on 3/31/2015
No comments:
Post a Comment