Minnehaha Master Gardeners

Sound Gardening Practices for Minnehaha County, SD

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Container #14: Succulent Grouping (Joyful Succulents #1)

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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.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/5428cgxwo1659hstnjj36qsbrsuou2xx

Container #15: All is Rosy with Fireworks Fountain Grass

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Everything about this container is rosy! The thriller plant is a fountain grass named “Fireworks.” It is surrounded by a variety of rose-shaded plants and topped off by a rosy solar ornament.

RECIPE:
• (1) Fountain Grass “Fireworks”
• (2) Petunias “Surfinia Summer Double Salmon”
• (4) Gazania “New Day Pink Shades”
• (6) Vinca “Tattoo Papaya”

TIPS:
• Fountain grass will grow as large as your container allows. Select a good-sized container with an ample amount of soil.
• Do not use a container that is narrow at the bottom as it will be subject to blowing over. A container such as the barrel shown in this photo has a wider base and will not blow over.
• The root system of the fountain grass is extensive and requires a lot of water.
• I use a DIY plant support ring around my fountain grass to lift the blades above the soil and allow the other flowers to grow without being smothered. To make the support ring, I purchase an inexpensive small tomato cage and cut it off above the lowest ring. Place the ring around the grass about 4”-6” above the soil. As the grass grows, pull the new blades up through the support ring.
• Remove spend blossoms from the gazania plants to encourage continuous flowering.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/a35tnr4kcpv8t8peqlddprir14o5tsbn

Container #16: Shady Oasis

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This grouping in our shaded patio area gives a cool inviting touch using a water feature and shade plants. The sound of cascading water adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

RECIPE:
• This grouping incorporates a variety of ferns, shade annuals, and houseplants including:
o Blue Star Fern
o Green Fantasy Fern
o Lemon Button Fern
o Pepperomia graveolens
o Creeping Fig
o Hypostes “Polka Dot Plant”
o Dragon Wing Begonia
o Various Ivy

TIPS:
• Use a variety of container sizes, shapes and colors when grouping containers.
• Elevate some containers (I use bricks) to add height to the grouping and to feature all plants.
• Shade groupings require much less water.
• Nearly all these plants can be grown as house plants.
• NEW! Go to https://minnehahamastergardeners.org/news/ to view all container posts.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/tk322w6fnu7ll84llgbqndybmc8z6dpc

Container #17: Rockin Fuschia

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This full sun container rocks with its bright colors! The thriller plant, Salvia “Rockin Fuschia,” grows 24” to 30” tall and keeps on blooming. The supercal plant is a cross between a petunia and calibrachoa. It is such a reliable and prolific plant and it comes in unique colors such as the “Sunray Pink” used in this container. I used the deep yellow calibrachoa to bring out the yellow throats of the supercal flowers.

RECIPE:
• (1) Salvia “Rockin Fuschia”
• (2) Supercal “Sunray Pink”
• (1) Calibrachoa “Deep Yellow”

TIPS:
• Remove spent blooms of the salvia to encourage continuous flowers.
• This container needs a lot of water as the plants mature.
• Trim the calibrachoa occasionally to keep it from becoming straggly.
• NEW! Go to https://minnehahamastergardeners.org/news/ to view all container posts.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/cvyhzl7ghyzjerus6kl21akqfwcsli0v

Container #18: Flapjacks (Joyful Succulents #2)

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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.
• Click here to go to a PDF version of this post. https://sdsu.box.com/s/7vww771kc5dp78dhtbrbrx4dvyhn7jzm

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info@MinnehahaMasterGardeners.org
605-782-3290

The SDSU Extension Master Gardener program provides research‐based knowledge to and develops the leadership abilities of volunteers who, in turn, enable others to improve the quality of their lives by enhancing their home and community environments through horticultural education and activities.