Greenforks » Succulents

Wordless Wednesday – No Spider Involved

easygardener — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:25:25 +0000

Sempervivum arachnoidium 'Rubrum'

For more Wordless Wednesday posts visit here.

A reminder of winter and thinking of Plan B.

easygardener — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:52:38 +0000

I finally got round to unwrapping my Agave americana ‘Variegata’ which I had left outside over the winter. On the outside was a layer of plastic bubble wrap over a tripod of canes.

Agave americana 'Variegata' wrapped up for winter

Underneath that was a layer of horticultural fleece.

Agave americana 'Variegata' in fleece

The previous year I was late covering it and it suffered very badly. This time I wrapped it up at the end of October 2009. Was the protection good enough? – especially after four weeks of snow and temperatures down to -12C (57F).

Squidgy leaves

Hmmmm…..five outer leaves have bitten the dust. I am beginning to think I am on a loser here.

Agave americana 'Variegata' looking rather tatty

Yes, you people in warmer climates may laugh – no doubt you have Agaves growing all over the place like weeds and are wondering why I bother. However, my plant is quite old and I do not want to lose it. The trouble is it is lethal when I try to move it undercover which is why I have this drama each year now that it has got bigger. I need to rethink this. Perhaps I will add a duvet next year!

Blooming Friday: September, week 1 – So Succulent

easygardener — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:01:01 +0000

It was very windy yesterday and none of the flowers would stand still for my camera.

Eventually I found some plants that did not move in the wind! There are no flowers at present, but the colours and textures of these succulents are so attractive.

Aeonium arboreum

Aeonium arboreum 'Black Cap'

Sempervivum 'Blood Tip'

Sempervivum 'Engle's'

Sempervivum calcareum 'Extra'

Echeveria lilacina

Echeveria 'Duchess Of Neuremberg'

They are the easiest plants to grow as long as the soil is very gritty and well drained. I grow mine in pots or a raised bed and they stay outside all year round.

In May and June they flower. Here is a Sempervivum.

Sempervivum arachnoidium 'Rubrum' in May

Well worth growing for interest all the year round.

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.