Sucked In by Succulents

It's a little hard to put my finger on the reason I love succulents so much, but clearly I'm not alone in my adoration. Gorgeous succulent gardens and containers are popping up all over the place. While they may come across to some as something more suitable for a modern home, they really can mix well with any type of home or garden style, depending on the container you choose.




Succulents are virtually indestructible and quite beautiful, retaining water in their leaves and stems to give them their swollen, fleshy appearance. They have adapted to survive arid conditions throughout the world, resulting in incredible variety of leaf forms and plant shapes.




They prefer bright light, such as that of a south-facing window, and need very little water (although it is possible to under water these plants too!) Planting them in a container with drainage holes is important, and the soil should be a fast-draining mixture designed for cacti and succulents.

Click on the succulent wreath above for how-to instructions

Several years ago I came across a gorgeous spread in Garden Design magazine of a succulent garden in California that practically made my mouth water! I decided to paint a painting that reflected the array of colors and textures of the garden, in hopes of satisfying my craving for a similar garden:

Any Winning Combination2005
Mixed Media on Birch Panel

More recently I've encouraged clients who want something that lasts to give succulents a try in their homes. Here's one container potted with a variety:






I also recently came across a bag full of conch shells I've collected over the years and was wondering what I should do with them, apart from leaving them in the bag. For a recent wedding I used succulents as part of the decor and had several that I rescued at the end of the night. Well, it turns out that the shells make a pretty cool container to showcase the smaller plants:



And if you are like one client and you travel often but still want the look and feel of something living in your home, faux succulents are some of the most convincing imposters out there! I was truly satisfied with the way these mantel pieces turned out, and you really have to get right up on them to realize they may not be real... and even then you need to touch to make sure:

Succulents are excellent for use in wedding decor, as they can be reused and replanted after the event. As wedding favors, centerpieces, and even as accents in the bouquets, they are a great choice- no water necessary. I will post pictures of how I recently used them in a wedding soon!