Mediterranean Succulent Containers

 

I've been excited to write about succulent containers since I snapped the above picture outside a cathedral in Moneglia, Italy. This tiny town, set picturesquely on the Italian Riviera, was full of succulent inspiration. Outoor cafes, storefronts, and the beautiful brick archways that lead to the beach all sported succulent plantings. Its a less common style for containers, where full blossomed beauty is prevalent. The stark, geometric appearance has come to be associated with "modern" design. But instead of considering them modern, why not think of them as Mediterranean? Their simplicity emulates all things Mediterranean, with few blooms and an emphasis on texture. Water wise and full-sun loving, succulents thrive in containers providing maximum impact for minimal effort. There'll be no need for dead heading or heavy fertilizing here, just a willingness to venture from petunias and marigolds.

Here's a Few Ideas

Keep Containers Simple

Clean lines and block colored containers rather than busy patterns add emphasis to the plant material. Low-bowl planters with wide mouths accomplish the same goal. For my succulent planter pick, check out Terrain's Hypertufa container.

The More the Merrier

Don't be afraid to pack in the plants. Most succulents aren't amazingly fast growers so overcrowding isn't an issue. The different geometric forms and unique architecture, for which succulents are well known, is extremely eye catching when clustered.

Remember Textures & Hues

Because succulents aren't planted for their prolific blooms, add variation to your container through different textures and hues. The possibilities for texture variance are many: prickly, smooth, pubescent {botanical term for fuzzy or slightly hairy plants}, and waxy to name a few. The dominant color of succulents is {no surprise} green, but hues can vary from chartreuse to olive. Shades of blue and grey are common as well, and tinges of red, purple, and orange {see Euphorbia 'firesticks'} add interest and flashes of color.

Pictured above: succulent displays in Paris, Barcelona, Valencia, & Rome

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Plant of the Week- Agapanthus

Alright, I know there has been a little gap in our plant of the week posts. I blame a months worth of European travels. But now that I'm settling into life in Valencia, Plant Of The Week will once again be weekly! Its easy to be inspired in this ancient city. I had to look no further than the plaza in front of our apartment, where I found this beauty...

Agapanthus, also known as Lily of the Nile, is one of my all time favorite bloomers! These, along with bougainvilla {check back next week!}, are reason enough pack up and head for a sunnier climate. Stunning firework-like blossoms emerge from the evergreen foliage in early summer. Depending on the variety, blooms can range from dark to light purple and white. Even though they are only hardy in USDA zones 8-11, they are definitely a worthwhile purchase for gardeners in less temperate climates. While obviously showy in planting beds, they also make wonderful focal points in containers. Try them as an alternative to a draceana spike. Dwarf varieties like 'Peter Pan' and 'Baby Pete' are the better for smaller containers, if you're planting with companion plants. Or you can let larger varieties like 'Midnight Blue' and 'Blue Storm' steal the show in solo plantings or bigger containers. As an added bonus Agapanthus is a great cutting flower that you can add to any bouquet.  Bring a little bit summer color to your garden and your kitchen counter!

USDA zones: 8-11

Exposure: full sun

Bloom time: early summer to fall



Photo attribution: my husband, Marcus Draper

Flowers for Beth

I have a wonderful friend named Beth, and we have a yearly tradition. Every year in late May or early June {depending on our varying Utah weather} we head to the garden center to design her pots. We meander down the rows of plants and flowers admiring blossoms, and picking out color palettes while chatting. Beth is great to chat with. She is one of those women, so easy to talk to because she really does care about the new recipe you tried or  plans for your upcoming Disneyland trip. The combination of flowers and Beth makes for a wonderful morning of shopping. But our tradition will be absent this year since I'm in Spain. In leu of a visit to the garden center I've decided to write this post and dedicate it to Beth. Its our virtual shopping trip. All that's missing is the great conversation, the smell of dewy,freshly watered blossoms, and the almost tangible humidity of the greenhouse. Well actually, not the humidity. I'm about 15 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea and learning to live with frizzy hair and slightly soggy potato chips. It's okay though, the Bougainvillea and palm trees are worth it : ) But I digress... Beth has five pots that we design. She has two north facing on either side of her front door, two south facing for the back patio, and another south facing pot that is usually placed on the patio table as a centerpiece. So let's take a look at the pots and Beth, don't forget the red geraniums for the beds in front of the porch.

Let's start with the shade pots on the porch. North facing doorways are the perfect canvas for continuous summer blooms. Without overwhelming southern or western sun, plants never experience that parched,dry look.

For southern facing pots, especially those on patios or decks {where they tend to get even hotter}, proper plant selection is crucial for blossoms that persist through August.

When using containers as centerpieces on tables make sure to check the tags and keep the mature height of the plants in mind. Avoid aggressive trailing plants like potato vine.

English Garden Style

I've just spent a few days in London. Amid the beauty of Westminster Abbey, Parliament, and Buckingham palace, I couldn't help but admire the presence of English garden style. English gardens are renowned  for their splendor. Deep shades of green and dashes of bright color.  Sculpted boxwood and long expanses of velvet lawn.  Most envision large English garden estates or majestic city parks, but the beauty of English gardens is alive and distinct in urban England.   Container gardening is a wonderful way to adorn your garden with English style.  First, begin by selecting a few plants in different shades of green.  Consider plants of varying heights, including trailing or vine-like plants. Remember to mix different textures together to add interest. Pick one color or one blooming variety to add to your container.  The green shades of foliage create a wonderful backdrop for bloomers. Remember to keep it simple.  English landscapes are formal in appearance and limiting your plant selection to three or so plant varieties will better achieve this style.  

Must haves for an English garden container: ivy and boxwood. Ivy can tolerate part sun, but if your location is too sunny (usually more than five hours of direct sunlight a day), consider an alternative like potato vine. Here's a few other plant suggestions. Trailing Vines for Sun Potato vine-chartreuse, variegated, or dark purple TrailingVines for Shade/part-sun Wire vine-dark green English or California ivy-dark green or variegated with light green and white Silver falls Dicentra- grayish green  Medium height Licorice plant- either chartreuse, gray, or variegated green Tall Plants for the Center Tru dwarf boxwood- medium green Italian cypress- blue green Lemon cypress-bright chartreuse green.  Find your inner Brit!