Succulents - A Container Garden

I was inspired earlier this summer by an article in "Birds and Bloom" magazine that showed succulents planted in containers and on a wreath.  Since I already had some Hens and Chicks hiding in the perennial garden, and a Christmas Cactus pot-bound and left over from Christmas, I decided to see what I could create.  I found an interesting basket that I've previously used to hold magazines, and decided that could be my container. (My motto:  Always shop at home first.) I also picked up a nice looking (and cheap) echeveria at the Wednesday auction.

There are many, many different kinds of succulents with all sorts of Latin names.  Succulents are simply plants that have evolved to have water storing tissues that allow them to survive in arid environments. They come in all sizes and shapes; they may store water in their leaves, stems and/or roots.  Generally, they don't like freezing weather, but make great houseplants as long as you don't over-water them.  Here's a great web-site to help you learn everything you ever wanted to know about succulents: http://www.succulent-plant.com/home.html

Basket right after planting

Back to my container garden. There's nothing worse than a basket that leaks water and/or dirt, so first I used a plastic kitchen garbage bag to line the inside. I didn't want to completely fill the basket with dirt because that would make it very heavy, so I put in 2 medium upside-down plastic pots.  I filled around these filler pots with potting soil.  I lightly set my succulents in.  I rearranged them a couple times until I was satisfied with their placement. Finally, I tucked them all in securely with a little more potting soil.  There was extra garbage bag showing, so I rolled that down into the basket edge and covered it with a little Spanish moss.  Voila! Done.

Basket 1 month after planting

This container garden has been on my front step for about a month now.  It seems to be quite happy, because all of the succulents, and especially the Christmas cactus, have shown growth.  I'm even starting to wonder if it's not getting over-crowded already.  I'm going to bring it inside this weekend, because I know it won't survive that frost that could come most any time.  Will it still be happy inside?  Time will tell.  Right now, I'm quite pleased with it, and hopeful that the Christmas cactus will bloom again.