Design – Succulent garden design should consider the location, soil type, configuration, moisture level, and the types of plants. Plan the design with enough space for the plants to fill as they grow.
Plants – Sedum and Sempervivum are easy to grow and adaptable to bright, sunny locations or even slightly dappled areas. Try some Kalanchoe, Aloe, Echeveria and Aeonium, these succulents have unique sizes, shapes and textures.
Plan – Choose a sunny location and plot the space you want to fill. Check the soil conditions and drainage by digging a hole at least 1 foot deep and filling it with water. If the water drains within a half hour, the soil is sufficiently porous. If not, simply mix in 3 inches of sand or other gritty material to increase the texture and drainage.
Use taller specimens at the center of the area and spreading species at the edges or dotted among the larger plants as ground cover. Top the area with a layer of pebbles or small rocks to act as mulch. This will help prevent weeds and conserves moisture while allowing evaporation of excess water.
Care – Plants should receive regular water during the growing season. When soil is dry a couple of inches down, water deeply and then let the soil dry out again between waterings. Watch for insect pests and combat them with sprays of water and horticultural soap spray. Remove dead stems and offsets. Offsets are easy to start as a completely new plant.
