I love succulents! The variety of species, sizes, colors, and textures allows for endless combinations! Starting this week, I will begin to feature some succulent containers in the Amazing Containers posts. This is a photo of one of my succulent groupings. Individual containers will be featured in the future.

TIPS:
• Succulents need warm temperatures. I plant my succulent containers around June 1.
• Last year the Hartford area had record rainfall. My succulent containers performed just fine as you can see in the photo. The secret is soil with excellent drainage. I use a 50/50 mixture of regular potting soil (my favorite is PRO-MIX BRK which can be purchased at garden centers) and Cactus Soil (found at all box stores).
• There is no fast rule on how often to water succulents. Let the weather guide you. If it is cool and rainy, do not water your succulents. If it is hot and windy, you may need to water frequently.
• Most succulents have shallow root systems, so deep containers are generally not necessary.
• I do not fertilize my succulents very often. They seem to do fine without fertilization.
• I often top dress my succulent containers with small pea gravel to give them a finished look.
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One of my very favorite succulent plants is this Kalanchoe “Flapjack” plant, with its leaves like stacked pancakes! The leaves start out a solid green and take on a red edging as the summer progresses. I like to grow the Flapjack plant in a red container to coordinate with the red edges. I underplant the Flapjack with sedum as a spiller plant.

RECIPE:
• (1) Kalanchoe “Flapjack”
• (1)Variegated Sedum (divided)

TIPS:
• This plant does have quite a deep root system, so plant in a deeper container than is needed for most other succulents.
• The Flapjack plant requires very little care other than watering, however it is important to introduce it to full sun gradually to prevent the leaves from scorching.
• The Flapjack plant produces baby offshoots at the base of its stem late in the season which can be sliced off and planted to make new plants.
• I like a number of sedums paired with the Flapjack plant including variegated sedum,”Lemon Coral” sedum, and “Makinoi Ogon” sedum.
• Hint: at the end of the season, remove the Flapjack plant from the container, leaving a hole in the center of the sedum, and replace it with a pumpkin for a fall decoration.
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Succulents work great in fairy gardens, allowing the container to be placed in full sun.  I make my fairy gardens “kid friendly,” allowing my grandkids to move the pieces around.

RECIPE:  Among the succulent plants used in this fairy garden are:

• Echeveria, various varieties
• Crassula “Princess Pine”
• Crassula “Candy Cane”
• Crassula “Tiger Jade”
• Cotyledon “Happy Young Lady”
• Haworthia “Zebra Plant”
• Sedum “Fine Leaf Gold”

TIPS:

• Select the smallest succulent plants you can find as they will grow considerably.  I look for baby plants among my larger succulents.
• The smaller plants require a little more water.  Water whenever the soil begins to dry out.

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This hanging basket stands out against the wooden fence because of the many colors, shapes, and sizes of the succulent plants.

RECIPE:
• (1) Large Echeveria “Black Prince”
• (2) Variegated Portulaca afra “Elephant Bush”
• (2) Sedum nussbaunerianum “Coppertone”
• (2) Echeveria “Jade Green”
• (2) Sedum Morganianum
• (1) Graptosedum “Alpenglow”
• Various clumps Sedum “Fine Leaf Gold”

TIPS:
• I lined the woven twig basket with plastic to better hold the soil. Poke holes in the bottom of the plastic liner to allow water to run through.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/svoxvka3dswcpmvgh8b4fhurzz0rr526