Using Succulents in Innovative Ways
By Mary Ann Walz
 If there were plants on the Moon, I believe they would be
succulents. They have that wonderful other worldly appearance that makes them stand out in the realm of plants. Although revered for their bright, showy flowers, their handsome architectural foliage alone is enough to make you want to include them in your landscape.
But don’t be deceived by the beauty of succulents. These guys aren't fragile. Their adaptability to heat, intense sunshine, and ability to thrive with little maintenance under dry conditions makes them an excellent choice for the xeric garden.
Design Elements
Many
succulents are tiny and demand a spot in the garden where they can be noticed. Place them at the front of a perennial border or on the edge of a raised bed. Rock gardens show off the interesting foliage of a succulent very nicely.
Intriguing Ground-level Placements
Plant Care
Succulents appreciate a monthly dose of liquid seaweed (Sea-Com PGR) and a low nitrogen fertilizer like
Earth Juice ‘Grow' at recommend rates. In cold climates, it is vitally important that watering be greatly decreased in the fall. Succulents need to dry down so they can begin to shrivel in preparation for winter.
Working with succulents is not difficult and once you get the finer points down they can provide lots of enjoyment.
Creating Containers with Cacti and Succulents
By David Salman
 Cacti and succulents just seem natural companions, especially in containers. They are easy but "special needs" plants and successful container culture depend on the correct soil mix.
Key to Success
Soil for growing these plants must provide excellent drainage without excessive organic matter content. Many species suffer when the soil is too fertile and contains large percentages of rich compost and peat moss. The basic formula for making a fast draining potting mix follows:
 Soil Mix:
3 parts high quality soil-less potting soil
1 part coarse sand
1 part volcanic scoria, coarse Perlite or small (3/8" diameter or smaller) crushed gravel, crushed limestone or chicken grit.
Suggested Containers
 The best pots are ceramic; whether terra cotta or glazed, is your personal preference. But make sure they have a drainage hole! Because a healthy cactus or succulent plant can live for many years, plastic containers will often deteriorate prematurely. This requires repotting plants, a difficult and dangerous task, especially when handling large specimens.
Re-pot every few years when plants have grown past the edges of the pot and stop increasing in size. Cacti and succulents are healthier and happier when under-potted (slightly undersized pot).
Plants for Pot Sizes
-
 Large specimens like big barrel
Ferocactus, columnar Trichocereus cacti or succulent Agave (Century Plants) require large pots to accommodate their large root systems and to counterbalance their imposing bulk. The pots must be substantial enough to support these large plants without tipping over.
- The South African memsembranthemums are best planted in smaller pots. This also allows them to be grown on window sills in wet winter areas.
- Bowl shaped pots are excellent for shallow rooted, clumping species. Species of cacti that form large, multi-stemmed clusters such as Claret Cup (
Echinocereus triglochidiatus) and large growing Nipple Cacti (
Mamillaria) prefer being planted into bowls.
Watering "Rules"
While cacti and succulents are low-care plants, they benefit from regular watering. Thoroughly soak established containers every week to10 days in the heat of summer; then let them dry out between waterings. Newly planted containers require more frequent watering to establish.
David's Helpful Hints: Growing Xeric Plants in Non-Xeric Regions
 Most of our plants are selected for their ability to thrive in the western United States. But for gardeners outside the Rocky Mountain region who are interested in growing them, I offer these comments below.
• Coastal California The vast majority of our plants thrive in this region. Native plants from NM, TX and Mexico like summer moisture and bloom well when many CA natives are summer dormant. The lack of winter cold needed for winter dormancy (rest) doesn’t seem to be a problem for most plants.
• The Desert Southwest
 (Zones 7, 8 and 9; mild winters, very hot, low humidity summers) Even sun loving plants benefit greatly from some afternoon shade. Plant in the shadow of a building or under a shrub or tree. Regular watering during the heat is essential, even for xeric species. Planting is best done in the fall, winter or early spring months. Plants need 6-8 weeks to establish their root systems before the summer heat.
• Regions with Very Hot, Humid Climates
(Zones 6-9) The same suggestions apply as above with the Desert Southwest. But note that xeric plants with very woolly foliage like
Tanacetum (Partridge Feather),
Woolly Thyme and Marrubium (
Horehound) may rot from excessive rain and humidity.
• Non-Western States (east of the Mississippi)
 The rainfall map gives a glimpse of precipitation distribution. As levels rise above 20 inches a year, most very xeric plants will not survive. But soil drainage is the key. Planted in a sunny site with fast-draining sandy or loam-type soils of low fertility, these plants will be happy. Raised beds and south or west-facing slopes provide even faster drainage and are ideal planting sites. Leave these plants either unmulched or mulched with crushed gravel.
Plant Combinations for Great Garden Designs
For great hot-spot combos try our three Winter Hardy Cacti and Succulent Samplers.
 The
Cold-Hardy Succulent Sampler includes five of our most popular and ornamental cold-hardy succulents with which to decorate your xeriscape. All have evergreen foliage to provide year-round interest, and all thrive in the hottest, sunniest planting sites you can find. Plant by late summer in USDA zones 5 and 6. Zones 5-10.
 The
Cold-Hardy South African Succulent Sampler includes these masters of camouflage with frigid desert habitats. The species in this combo display foliage and showy flowers unique in the plant world. In arid western climates, they thrive in rock gardens with lean, well-drained soil; but if precipitation exceeds 20″ per year, pot into containers. They will grow and flower on bright, cool windowsills during winter, then place outside in the summer heat. Plant by late summer in USDA zones 6. Zones 6-10.
 The
Cold-Hardy Cacti Sampler is a mix of small, medium and large growing species. This combo is an excellent selection of flower colors, spination patterns and stem forms. Plant by late summer in USDA zones 5 and 6. Zones 5-10.
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If there were plants on the Moon, I believe they would be succulents.
Delosperma nubigenum
Delosperma cooperi
