Apart from the fact that these plants are attractive in their own right, one of the best reasons for growing succulents is that they are low maintenance. While annual and perennial flowers need constant deadheading, watering and fertilizing, succulents can mostly be allowed to look after themselves. To learn the other reasons why succulents are the answer read this article by Noelle Johnson which I found on the Houzz website.
Succulents have it all ? delightful shapes, a variety of colors and a range of sizes ? so it?s no surprise that they are a favorite choice for landscape designers. Succulents do more than add beauty to outdoor spaces. They can also be effective problem solvers, replacing a water-intensive lawn with a more drought-tolerant landscape, filling narrow planting areas, creating low-maintenance container plantings, and much more.Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata), snake flower (Bulbine frutescens) and aeonium create a lush green planting underneath California pepper trees (Schinus molle).
Before planting succulents, it?s important to know a few things. There are many kinds of succulents. Some thrive in full sun, while others prefer shade; many love warm climates, but a number can be grown in cold regions as well. It?s important to note the USDA zone and recommended sun exposure of each succulent before you add it to your garden.
All succulents require well-drained soil, as they will not survive for long in soggy conditions. Succulents do need water, unless they are cactuses (which are a type of succulent). A general guideline is to water them deeply and then let the soil completely dry out before watering again.This colorful container is filled with a variety of succulents, including milk bush (Euphorbia tirucalli ?Sticks on Fire?), Aeonium arboreum, cordyline and A. ?Sunburst?.
Switch out flowering annuals. Growing flowers in pots is a high-maintenance garden element, with constant deadheading and frequent watering and fertilizing. Instead of adding annual flowers to your pots every few months, switch them out for colorful succulents, which will lend beauty throughout the year for a fraction of the water and fertilizer required for flowers.?See more at Houzz
Feature photo: Farallon Gardens
