How to Design a Succulents Bed
Succulent plants are water-retaining plants that store water within their leaves. Leaves of succulents are typically thick, and often have needles or spikes to protect them from thirsty pests and rodents. Succulent plants have evolved to adapt to very dry, arid growing conditions. In the south, homeowners can design succulents beds to add a garden area with minimal water needs. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Succulent plants of various sizes
- Garden border
- Flower pots (optional)
- Large stones (optional)
- Garden tools (hoe, spade, hand tiller)
- Gardening sand
Instructions
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1
Purchase several varieties of succulent plants. Include types that mound and trail (hen and chick varieties), some cacti and one or two large succulents such as an agave plant. There are some species of succulents that are pink, reddish or purple. Add some of the colorful succulents to make your succulents bed more pleasing to the eye.
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2
Break up the ground where you want your succulents bed. Use a hoe, spade, pick axe or hand tiller. Break up the ground several inches deep.
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3
If your local soil is rich, mix in gardening sand at a ratio of 1:1. Succulents need soil that drains quickly and will not hold onto moisture. Rich soil holds onto moisture, and this leads to root rot and death of succulent plants.
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4
Plant your succulents into the new bed. Arrange with a large succulent in the center, with smaller succulents around it. For height variations, plant some in pots. Strawberry pots make good homes for trailing succulents. Plant a variety of mounding and trailing succulents directly into the ground.
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5
Add visual appeal to your succulent garden with stepping stones or larger accent stones.
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Place a garden border around the perimeter of the succulents garden. Some trailing succulents are invasive and a border is necessary in order to keep them from taking over the yard.
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