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Instuctons for Care:

 

Plant Care Information

Our plant zone is actually 10B, but we can utilize the zones from 3-9 with extra care for those So Cal heat and cold events.

 

Caring For Your Succulents

 

Zones
All of our succulents are hardy zone 3-10b unless otherwise labeled. Plant may appear dull in color and have some dry edges. This is normal and when placed in sunlight they will intensify in color. Sempervivums change color with the seasons and each variety has its own most colorful time of the year.

Light
Most varieties need at least half a day to a full day of sunlight. In extremely hot areas some afternoon shade is recommended.

Planting
Remove plants from their pots and plant making sure the soil level remains the same depth on the plant. Once established, your succulents will benefit from a layer of pebbles or pea gravel spread on the soil around the plant. This is also very decorative.

Soil
Succulents need good draining soil. When planting in the garden, make sure the area drains well and is not in a low spot that would stay wet. For container planting you can purchase cactus soil or incorporate sand, gravel or volcanic rock for better drainage. The container you are planting in should have a drainage hole or put crushed rock on the bottom before your planting medium.

Watering
After planting, water in well and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Succulents don't like to have wet feet. When you do water, water thoroughly.

Fertilizer
Most succulents need very little fertilizer. Watering with a well balanced fertilizer once a month will be all they need.

Flowering
Sedum all have different bloom times and colors ranging from pink, red and yellow. Sempervivums will bloom after the second or third year. A flower stalk will shoot up from the center of the main rosette with a cluster of flowers. After the flower dies, gently twist off the stalk. The main rosette has put on new offsets that will fill in.

 

Uses
The planting possibilities using succulents are endless. The different colors, textures and habits make the most interesting containers and troughs. Succulents make beautiful rock garden plants. With a wide variety of bloom times there is always something with color.

 

Weather permitting, we recommend you place your plants directly into the garden for best results.

Remember that our plants, generally, have been pulled directly from cold frames, where they have been protected from intense sun and desiccating winds. Slowly acclimate your plants and garden art by providing some shade and shelter for the first week to allow for a healthy transition.

 

Our plants and garden art should be grown in an area that receive a half to a full day of sun.

Some afternoon shade may be needed in areas with intense heat. Soil with good drainage is very important for success with succulents. Water when the soil becomes dry until the plants are established.

 

Some designs need more frequent waterings. Water as needed every couple days and totally submerge and soak in a tub every 7 -10 days for 15 minutes for those designs that are more decorative and don't get the ground or soil nutrients they need.  This als depends on the container. Items that do not have the ideal necessities for thriving will need extra care depending on how hot your area is. We find a plastic storage bin works well for soaking.

 

Succulents need very little fertilizer. Fertilize plants once a month with an all purpose water soluble fertilizer (such as Miracle-Gro) at a rate of 1 tsp. per gallon of water.

 

SOAKING YOUR GARDEN ART WEEKLY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

The flowers on sempervivums are open, starry and usually pink and held above the plant on a stem bearing several flowers. The crown that produces the flower head is monocarpic, and dies off after flowering, but fortunately there are always chicks produced previously from the base that grow in a ring around the mother plant to carry on for future years, maturing and producing their own chicks.

 

Winter care of hardy succulents depends on the part of the country you are in. In areas of the country that stay frozen for extended periods of time, some winter protection may be needed for turtles and wreaths and birdhouses. They can be brought indoors and put in a sunny window, watering only when dry. Or they can be left in the garden and covered with a styrofoam cooler or rose cone. Place a heavy rock on top to hold the cooler down. Winters natural blanket of snow over the cooler is an added benefit. You must wait for a few hard frosts late in the fall before you cover.

 

Succulents that are planted in the garden do not need winter cover. Cold areas usually have a snow cover for protection. In areas that are cold but have no snow cover, you can use balsam boughs to lightly mulch
for the winter, but this is usually not necessary.

 

As in all gardens, occasionally a weed may pop up on your topiary. Just remove taking as much of the roots as possible.

 

Welcome to the fascinating world of succulents.
Happy gardening!