By E.W. Forsyth
Whether they reside in cold zones or in temperate regions, gardeners are incorporating more and more succulents into their gardens and homes. Succulents thrive on sun to part shade, are drought tolerant, and are incredibly easy to grow; if you live in the north, consider succulents as annuals in your garden, or grow them in containers that can be brought inside-many even do well as houseplants year round. These beautiful and strange plants will catch every eye that passes.
Succulents have thick, fleshy organs that store water in their leaves, stems, or their roots. They have adapted to exist in arid conditions, from Africa to the deserts of North America. That’s lucky for us, as this ability to adapt has resulted in a vast array of fascinating plant forms, including paddle leaves, tight rosettes, and bushy, trailing columns of teardrop leaves. The color range of blooming succulents is also appealing, from orange to red to yellow to pink. They do not need much care, and do not like too much water. Some species love the hot direct sun, while others will scorch if exposed to direct sunlight, so check with one of our garden experts as to the most desirable light conditions. If it isn’t getting enough light, a succulent will begin to stretch, with an elongated stem and widely spaced leaves; this is known as etoliation. Ideal daytime temperatures vary from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees; nighttime temps should be between 50 degrees and 55 degrees.
Let’s address some of the more popular succulents. Sedum (Sedum spp.) or stonecrop is ubiquitous, as it is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9. This gardener’s particular favorite is ‘Autumn Joy,’ which reaches its peak beauty with its fall bloom. The leaves are grayish-green and the flowers are pink to dark rose to coppery and russet. If you are looking for a completely low-maintenance ground cover that will quickly pay off with its low, thick stems, light green leaves and bright yellow spring flowers, then go for the Sedum Acre, also known as gold-moss. An evergreen groundcover that is rabbit- and deer-resistant, tolerant of humidity yet also tolerant of dry hot sites, salt tolerant, and a butterfly attractant, it spreads rapidly, and can be propagated by simply taking a few trailing strands and placing them on top of soil, then dusting the top lightly with a little more earth. The roots will quickly form and take hold. They are a wonderful way to keep down on intruding weeds, while providing visual pleasure.
Kalanchoe, pronounced “collin-co-wee” is a member of the Crassulaceae family, which makes it a relative of the jade plant. Featuring a centralized cluster of delicate flowers in hues of orange, red, pink, or white blooms, this Madagascan native ranges from 2 inches to tree-sized. The popular house plant is generally 2 to 4 inches in height and width. The thick succulent leaves vary, and the foliage tends towards coarseness with hints of red or purple on the margins.
The wonder of succulents exists in part in their versatility. Take, for instance, the ice plant (Lampranthus), a groundcover with gorgeous purple flowers that is an ideal accompaniment to alpine and rock gardens, as a border to perennials, and in xeriscape gardens. As a drought-tolerant succulent that is less than fussy about the soil in which it grows, it has gained a reputation as an invasive; however, as it has no need for roots, and if planted like the sedum acre will quickly spread, why not use it to cover a hill, a rocky area, or a corner of your garden that just doesn’t seem suited to anything but a groundcover?
One of the most popular of succulents is the Sempervivum or ‘Hens and chicks.‘ Evergreen perennials that produce low, compact rosettes of thick fleshy leaves, the parent rosettes (hens) send out numerous offsets (chicks), thus forming a dense colony. Latin in origin, the name Semper means forever and vivo means live; this is a plant that keeps its leaves in winter even when the temps go below frost level. As with most succulents, hens and chicks thrive in full sun to partial shade, as long as the soil is well-draining, thus making them perfect for hot, dry, sunny locations. They shun rich soil and micro-managing, so do not excessively water or fertilize. However, they do suffer in humidity. A slow grower; to create an effective groundcover, space plants closely together.
Of the approximately 400 species in the Aloe genus, the most famous is aloe vera, used medicinally for centuries. Survivors, a single plant can live for 25 years; they are drought tolerant, shade tolerant, and unaffected by rough handling.
Medical research has discovered a compound from the aloe vera that when administered, literally enhances the diffusion of oxygen molecules in the red blood cells, requiring less blood to support the tissues of the body. This is hoped to prove effective on patients experiencing severe trauma and blood loss; a medical miracle when applied to a military scenario.
So we hope that we’ve shown that succulents are not just meant for tropical locales and deserts, but can grace gardens in other climates and indoor gardens as well.