Bromeliads, Succulents, and Flora Grubb…oh my

Here’s a few more inspirations from the 2013 Garden Bloggers Fling in San Francisco.

This first one has it roots in my 2005 neighborhood garden tour. These homeowners fashioned their own wire baskets filled with various plants and hung to trees around their pool.

I was so excited when I saw the wire baskets being sold at Flora Grubb, they seemed perfect to re-create this idea that I had seen so many years earlier. Below is my basket planted with a bromeliad and hanging on a palm next to my pool.

Below is a close-up of the basket. I was so excited to get it planted, I didn’t take any pictures of it while it was empty.

My other purchase from Flora Grubb was a couple of these planters.

I think they are made from palm tree trunks, but I’m not positive about that. Here are my two in their new home.

And, since I am on a succulent kick. I bought this old metal bowl at Another Place in Time and filled it with some succulents that I bought at Filoli.

Succulents of Seattle

I don’t grow many succulents, nor do I know the names of them when I see them. I have a few hens and chicks left that my Grandma gave me almost 10 years ago, but they haven’t thrived as much as a couple of others varieties I have.

Here in Houston, I would not recommend planting them in the ground. Despite the fact that we are in a severe drought, it will rain again one day. I have a feeling that after one of our legendary downpours that our ground stays too wet for most succulents. Mine are all in pots with well-draining soil and almost never get hand-watered. So, for those of you who can’t keep a plant alive to save your life, maybe succulents are for you.

I was surprised to see how many people are growing succulents in Seattle, I envisioned it being too wet of a place for them. However, they seemed to be doing very well both in the ground and in containers. Here are some of my favorites.



This looks like a re-purposed birdbath to me, The soil is hilled, most likely to help with drainage.

photo taken at Dragonfly Farms














A wheelbarrow full o’succulents at Dragonfly Farms

 

 

 

I love the color combo of this one. I think this is sedum.
photo taken at Dragonfly Farms

Here, bottles and sempervivum (at least that’s what I think it is, remember I am no expert) are used as edging. Now, this just might provide enough drainage to work well in Houston.

Another wheel barrow o’succulents at Dragonfly Farms

Here are a few more great container ideas for succulents.

Suzette & Jim Birrell's Garden

   
The above two photos are from Denise Lane’s garden.

Lorene Edward Forkner's Garden

I hope these pictures give you some good ideas about what you can do with succulents in your own garden.