winter wonders
When winter arrives and your green thumb is itching to dig in the dirt and tend something in the garden, you always can rely on succulents to satisfy your urge. These versatile plants are gorgeous in terrariums or simple pots, but I’ve also seen them used in topiaries to create handbags and shoes. Imagine that! Succulents come in a kaleidoscope of colors and are so low-maintenance, a child could grow them. When it comes to making the most of them, not everyone has the wherewithal to make succulent shoes, but here are two project ideas to keep your green thumb busy until spring.
materials:
Various succulents
Shallow dish
Pea gravel
Cactus soil
simple succulent dish garden
Gather or purchase small pots of various succulents. If you’re on a tight budget and already have succulents, you can make cuttings that can be used in the project. When choosing plants, remember textures are fun to contrast, but don’t forget about color. A variety of greens, grays and reds will give your arrangement a jewel box quality. Select a specimen that will be your focal point and build off it.
Any container that is at least 4 inches deep will work for succulents. For a traditional dish garden, use a shallow bowl or even a large terra cotta saucer. Cover the bottom of the container with gravel. This is especially important if the pot does not have a drainage hole. Moisten the cactus potting soil and add it to the container, leaving about an inch of space between the soil and the lip. Do not water—the moistened soil is adequate. Wait a week or two, then water lightly.
centerpiece
An easy winter project to help you transition from the holidays into January and February might be a simple succulent centerpiece. They actually like the chill; these plants tend to show off more in the winter months. You’d be surprised! Start with saturated floral foam; that’s really all the water they need. For this project, I used echeveria because it’s easy to find and incredibly hardy, and has the shape of a flower. It also blooms in vibrant red and orange.
Simply snip your succulents right off the plant. They’ll be fine because they keep all their water and nutrients in the ‘petals.’ Pierce the back with a bamboo skewer, like the kind you’d find in the grocery store. Place some dianthus or other moss in the flower foam to use as a base. You also can use ornamental kale or other greenery. The succulents can be placed inside with the stick. The moisture in the foam will encourage the succulents to root. And there you are: your succulents will be happy like that for months!
Photos by Jane Colclasure and Mark Fonville
P. Allen Smith, host of two public television programs, is an award-winning designer and gardening expert. He is the author of several books, including Seasonal Recipes from the Garden.
