Without a doubt, Debra Lee Baldwin is an expert in succulents.
But a few months ago, when I returned to her yard in Escondido, California, I was impressed by something else—the flowers!
The garden is planted with perennials, annuals, and native flowers rather than succulents.
She is recognized as a leading authority and expert in all things succulent.
Debra cultivates her garden in a carefree manner. In order to soften any angular lines, she carefully considers where to position the succulents and cacti before loosely filling in with flowers and grasses.
The flowers that survive must be able to do so with only a little additional water every now and then since the overall garden consumes so little water.
This is not a garden with plant collections; rather, it is a tranquil haven with winding rustic pathways brimming with alluring textures and eye-catching color combinations.
Debra has been working on this area of her garden, which is appropriately called the “Tapestry Garden,” for the past two years.
I literally gasped in excitement when I saw the technicolor patchwork of ice plant blossoms blended with various colors of gray, gray, and dusky plum, which I had seen years earlier while it was still young.
Adding much-needed (and all-year-round) vertical height and intrigue is a great concept.
Don’t you simply adore how the urn, succulent, and iris all feature the color blue in one way or another?
A fantastic illustration of opposing shapes is how the very structured (and pointy!) agaves seem to scream for soft and billowy flowers.
One of the most exquisite honeysuckles I’ve ever seen was on Debra’s property (I think she said it was a gift given to her many years ago). Although she was unsure of the name, I’m rather certain it’s a “Major Wheeler” (aka: Coral Honeysuckle).
Anyone who may be certain? All I know is that my photos don’t do the colors justice.
The gentle salmon flowers of a succulent drift are framed by the soaring flower stalks of our native Matilija Poppy, which is backed by vivid orange tree spots.
In case you didn’t know, Succulents Simplified, Debra’s third book, has just been released!
A wonderful addition to Succulent Container Gardens and Designing With Succulents, two of her previous publications.
What shouldn’t you grow near roses?
Depending on the variety, roses grow and thrive in practically any USDA hardiness zone. They require well-draining soil and adore the sun. Additionally categorized as strong feeders, roses require fertile soil with a reduced nitrogen content. In particular, root rot will result from consistently damp roots and soil.
Given these circumstances, the following plants are inappropriate for roses:
- Bunchberry need plenty of water and shade to survive.
- Toad lilies benefit from full shade but require well-draining soil.
- Leopard plants prefer the shade and require moist, slightly alkaline soil.
- This plant needs fuchsiashade in addition to deep, wet soil to grow.
Can you plant succulents and flowers together?
To increase height above succulent plants that cling to the ground, companion planting is frequently used. Plants that can withstand drought, like the osteospermum, make suitable choices. As with the perennial Santa Barbara daisy, the flowers on this daisy may stand upright or trail across your succulents. Allow them to trail among agave and aloe, two succulents that grow taller.
Succulents go well with ornamental grasses, which frequently have autumn blossoms and interest throughout the winter. There are numerous types with maintenance requirements comparable to many succulent plants. If they are placed properly, ornamental grasses can be cultivated to offer afternoon shade.
Even while many succulents require full-day sunlight, afternoon shade can occasionally prevent leaf burn. To find out if your succulents benefit from ornamentals that provide shade, check their information on type. Although shorter, blue fescue grass might make a lovely companion for your succulents.
In addition to your succulent beds, yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary make excellent flowering herbs to cultivate. They require the same growing circumstances as the majority of succulents that are buried. Plant these herbs near the rear of the bed or all around it, depending on your design. Grow them in the center of the bed if it is open on all sides.
What kinds of plants go well with roses?
View our selection of the top plants for growing alongside roses below.
- Easter bulbs what to grow beside purple-pink tulips and roses.
- Alliums. Purple allium flowers are a good match for roses.
- ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ erysimum With rose-mauve wallflowers, what to plant.
- Lilies.
- Foxgloves.
- tough geraniums
- Salvias.
- Verbascums.
Growth needs
There are so many different kinds of succulents. A general rule of thumb is to select succulents with comparable requirements if you want to arrange them. They will coexist peacefully and preserve the ensemble’s aesthetic for a very long time.
For instance, Graptosedum California Sunset grows best in the summer, whilst Crassula (Jades) prefers the winter. So planting them together wouldn’t be a good idea. You should take into account the growing season, hydration requirements, lighting requirements, and soil requirements while choosing succulent combos.
Agave, Echeveria, and Sempervivum are several succulents that go dormant in the winter and look fantastic together. Aeonium, Aloe, Graptopetalum, and Kalanchoe may come to mind if you want to group the summer-dormant succulents.
Height
In addition to the succulents’ characteristics, height and color must also be taken into account in order to arrange them harmoniously. You should have a thriller, filler, and spiller in your layout.
Use tall succulents to provide height to the thriller and enhance the overall design. As filler around them, use shorter succulents. To finish the arrangement, add a few “spiller trailing succulents.” The recipe is straightforward, and you can always add your own spin to make it appear appealing to you.
Color
Choosing a theme for your succulent arrangement is simple. There are a variety of succulents that may make your succulent arrangements appear fantastic, whether you want them to be colorful or monochromatic.
Monochromatic, similar, and complementary color combinations are the three most common types.
You must group succulents with the same colors but various shades together for a monochromatic arrangement.
When using similar settings, you will group colors that are adjacent to one another on the color wheel (orange, yellow, and green).
Contrasting colors on the color wheel are required for complementary color schemes (red and green).
Do roses prefer shade or the sun?
Roses can be planted at any time of the year, with the exception of periods of really bad weather. When the ground is frozen, saturated with water, or when a drought is present, we advise avoiding planting. When is the greatest time to plant? is an often asked question, however as long as you avoid the circumstances listed, there isn’t actually a single ideal time.
Avoid intense competition from other plants
There is more competition for moisture and sunlight the closer you plant your rose to other plants. Plant your rose 2 feet from other roses and 3 feet away from other plants for the best results. Do not place a rose under a branch of a tree that is leaning.
Avoid very exposed, windy sites
The rose’s base may become looser in the ground due to strong winds. This will cause your rose to sway in the wind, which will cause it to grow at an angle and, in the worst situations, kill it. Make sure you follow our planting guidelines to avoid this. Make sure to firm the soil around the rose if you have this issue with one you currently own. A stake could be required in some circumstances.
how much water
As a general rule, we advise watering each rose with the following quantity:
- Rose shrubs, 1 gallon
- Roses that climb 2 gallons
- Roses in bloom, 2 gallons
- 2 gallons of standard tree roses
- vases of roses
- one gallon
Spring
Be cautious of very long dry periods. every two or three days, newly planted roses. Water established roses once or twice a week as necessary to maintain wet soil.
Summer
Water established roses as necessary to maintain the soil’s moisture level. Observe if your flowers are wilting as your rose begins to bloom. This is a sure warning that your roses need more water and will happen in extremely hot weather. every other day, roses that have just been planted.
What You Need
Using a watering can is the most effective method of watering because it allows you to monitor your water usage. A hose with a rose attachment is more useful if you have a lot of roses.
How to Water
- It is ideal to water as near as you can to the rose’s base. If the water is beginning to flow away from the base, pause for a few period to let it absorb, then carry on.
- Avoid wetting the foliage or blossoms with water. Watering plants can worsen disease issues, especially if it sits on the leaves over night.
- We advise using a gentle mist instead of a powerful downpour from a pressure hose or jet spray. If using a hose, try to get a fitting that has a rose setting. If you don’t have a particular fitting, ensure sure your hose’s pressure isn’t too high.
Roses or circumstances that need extra care:
- a fresh planting of roses.
- Due to the dry soil in that area, climbing roses were grown on walls.
- Roses cultivated in sand.
- in a pot or other container: roses.
When to Feed
We advise recommending two annual feeds for the greatest outcomes. Initially, at the start of the growth season. the second, which encourages better repeat flowering after the first bloom cycle is over.
Where should roses be planted for optimum results?
Pick a location with direct sunlight. Sun exposure for at least six hours is advised. While certain rose varieties will thrive in partial shade, most rose varieties bloom at their best when placed in a location with all-day sun. When growing roses in regions with scarce water and exceptionally hot growth seasons, an exception to this rule applies. Your roses will benefit from the comfort of some afternoon shade in this situation.
Roses don’t care much about the soil, although because they eat a lot, a rich loam is best. The pH of the soil ranges from mildly acidic to neutral (6.5 to 7.0). Generally speaking, it’s best to incorporate several inches of organic matter into the soil, especially if it has poor soil or thick clay. Make sure the soil has sufficient drainage before you plant your roses. Roses require deep watering on a regular basis, but if the soil is too wet, the roots will rot.
Avoid growing roses next to trees because of the shade and potential damage from falling branches. Select a location that is wind-protected because strong gusts can stunt the growth of the plant.
Lastly, avoid overcrowding your rose bushes. The more airflow there is around the plants, the less probable it is that they may contract leaves-deforming fungi like powdery mildew and black spot. In order to prevent competition for soil nutrients, it is actually best to plant roses apart from other plants.
Are succulents tolerant of crowds?
Speaking with individuals about succulent care or watching succulent care “in the wild” has made me aware of some of the misconceptions around succulent plants in the horticultural community. Just stroll through the nurseries in garden centers, where staff members are highly qualified. There are numerous excellently kept ornamental plants, fruit trees, and beautifully managed bedding plants, all of which have been nourished, watered, and maintained. then go for the section with succulents. You’ll find plants that have been improperly labeled, overwatered, underwatered, and generally neglected. In response to requests for assistance from merchants and landscaping contractors, I pondered this for a long time.
Successful succulent care is a synthesis of numerous elements, just like taking care of other plants. soil, water, fertilizer, exposure, control of pests and diseases, upkeep, and most importantly, observing and asking questions about the health of the plants.
Observing the plants and wondering what is going on with them. Yes, I believe that this is the most crucial element in keeping succulent plants healthy and beautiful. Applying what you have learnt to this group of plants will go a long way toward success with them if you are a gardener with prior success cultivating other types of plants. A plant is most likely not healthy if it does not appear to be so. Like any other plant that does not appear to be healthy, a plant that is unhealthy is likely dealing with challenges relating to soil, water, fertilizer, pest and disease control, upkeep, or a combination of these issues.
Due to their adaptation to places where water is scarce for extended periods of time, succulent plants differ somewhat from normal herbaceous perennial plants. As a result, their relationship with water plays a significant role in what makes them special. When it comes to gathering and preserving water, succulent plants are particularly effective. Additionally, they are more vulnerable to issues if exposed to excessive water. One of the most important determining aspects in maintaining the health of succulents is water management.
Here are some general care instructions for succulents, including everything from water to soil to sunlight.
Soil
The secret to soil mix in containers and in the landscape is good drainage and aeration. The majority of commercial soil mixtures are a little too dense and hold a lot of water for succulents. Adding coarse perlite, crushed lava, or pumice to conventional potting mixtures will usually be sufficient to transform them into effective succulent potting mixtures. Normally, I advise mixing 1 part amendment with 4 parts potting mix. For succulents like cactus that require even more drainage and aeration, the proportion of amendment can be increased.
There are a number of high-quality choices available on the market if you want to purchase pre-mixed soil, including the E.B. Stone Cactus mix that we carry at the nursery.
Water
Thick stems and leaves that effectively gather and store water are characteristics of succulent plants. Traditional plant varieties have thin leaves and require more frequent hydration and watering. Even though the soil is damp, a plant like a coleus may wilt on a hot day. For the coleus to have more humidity and water availability, more regular watering is required. The succulent is less prone to wilt since it has water stored in its leaves and stem. Before being watered, succulent plants prefer to get close to being dry. The plant’s root ball stores the rest of the remaining moisture when the earth dries out. It’s time to water when this area is almost completely dry. Water the plant thoroughly so that the soil is completely saturated and some water runs out the bottom of the plant. Watering a succulent is very much the same as watering any other plant, only not as frequently.
When the environment is unfavorable, there is an exception to how you water a succulent. Poor air circulation, cloudy, dark days, and inadequate lighting may be examples of this. The plant will dry out extremely slowly in these conditions, so it will require controlled watering—giving it tiny doses of water—to prevent being overly wet for an extended period of time. Again, keeping plants healthy requires paying attention to what they need.
Fertilizer
Like most plants, succulents like being fed. Succulents vary from other plants in that they require less fertilizer less frequently since they are so effective. I do not suggest giving succulents any particular fertilizer. As you develop your plant-growing skills, experimenting with various fertilizers may improve the quality of your plants and/or blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer in the interim, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. To maintain a healthy, growing plant, a fertilizer that is well-balanced is essential. There are a variety of all-purpose fertilizers that will work; at the nursery, we carry and advise Maxsea All-Purpose Plant Food.
An overabundance of fertilizer will promote excessive growth, which gives the plant a weedy appearance. Insufficient water will cause the plant to go into suspended animation and appear to be motionless. I advise halving the stated dosage rate and fertilizing no more frequently than once per month. Since most succulents become dormant throughout the winter, it’s usually not required to fertilize them.
Exposure
Succulent plants, like the majority of plants, prefer a climate with plenty of sunlight and clean air. Many people have misconceptions about succulents. One of the topics that people misinterpret is sunlight. When the topic of succulents is brought up, many people immediately think “desert.” In actuality, succulent plants grow most attractively when given a little sun protection. Succulent plants can develop good color and form without being dried out by the heat of the midday sun if they are grown in a few hours of early sun throughout the warmer months of the year. Shade fabric, lattice, or even the partial shadowing offered by a tree will help break up the heat of the sun in a southern exposure when the sun is shining on the area all day. More light exposure will aid the plant in preserving its good shape and color as winter draws closer. The plant will seem parched and burnt out if it receives too much sunlight. Too little sunshine causes the plant to extend out in search of more light, losing its beautiful compact structure.
Cold Tolerance
Information on the cold tolerance of several succulent plants was lacking until recently. If you don’t know a plant’s resistance to cold, I advise thinking it will freeze or suffer harm if the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or freezing. Plants can be protected from light frost using inexpensive materials like frost cloth. These materials work well to increase your level of protection by 4 to 6 degrees.
Pest and Disease Control
Aphids are always going to be aphids. Like other plants, succulents will be attacked by insects. The idea is to observe your plants, look more closely, and explore anything that seems abnormal. Like any other plant, succulents require the ideal exposure or location, as well as decent soil, appropriate watering, and fertilizer. You are less likely to encounter bugs if these factors are properly balanced.
Succulent plants are susceptible to the same bugs and diseases that affect other plants, which is a fact of life. Succulents require the same level of pest and disease monitoring as other plants. As with other plants, aphids typically target the blossoms and new growth on succulents. Like other plants, measly bugs live on the roots of the plant and lodge between the leaves near new development. They can also infest the soil. Earwigs and snails both eat on the leaves. Succulent leaves may get powdery mildew, especially after extended periods of bad weather. Not to mention the ants, of course. Farmers are ants. Ants use plants like succulents to develop bugs that will help feed all of their ant companions, just as you may rototill the dirt and plant carrot seeds for your habit of drinking carrot juice. Any ants you see on your plants, get rid of them.
Therefore, these so-called succulent plants are not bug-proof. Although they are hardy and can endure an infection for a long time, healthy, attractive plants must be watched over, and when an infestation does arise, it must be treated with.
You decide how to handle an infestation. To help identify the bug or disease, you may speak with someone at your neighborhood nursery or your acquaintance who is an avid gardener. You decide whether to utilize organic materials or nuclear weapons, water, soap, q-tips, or chemicals. The most important thing is to address the issue as soon as you become aware of it.