How to Pick Succulents for Special Pots Amazing tips

 

You know you've created an effective plant-pot pairing if every time you look at it, it delights you. Ideally, it exceeds the sum of its parts. But how to make that happen? You're about to find out: In my new video you'll learn basic design principles that people find pleasing, and that professional designers use routinely.

I learned to identify and describe these early in my career as a garden writer on assignment for Sunset and Better Homes & Gardens publications. In published articles and later in my books on succulents, I explained what made certain gardens or plant combos "work," and how readers could achieve something similar.

If you don’t have much space (who does?), pairing succulents with art pots is a great way to display both, lend sophistication to outdoor living spaces, and eliminate clutter. Succulent plant-pot pairing---an art form in itself---is the topic of my latest video.

Key design factors

Succulents tend to look best in pots that are earth tones and shades of red, orange, yellow, teal, gray-blue and lavender. Colors harder to pair are those seldom seen in the plants, such as black and certain blues (navy, royal, cobalt).

This pairing does everything right: Green leaves of Aloe castilloniae contrast with rust-red in the glaze (the complementary color). Reddish-brown dashes on leaves contrast texturally with the pot's smooth surface while repeating its speckles (as does the crushed rock topdressing). As for scale and proportion, the plant is the perfect size for the pot.

Plant Pairing at Oasis

Orange County ceramic artist and horticulturist Pat Roach and I met several years ago as a result of our mutual interest in succulents and our enjoyment in pairing them with one-of-a-kind, artist-designed pots.

Pat Roach @potterybypatrice evaluates golden sedum for a golden-tan pot she made.

Occasionally Pat and I do pairing at Oasis Water Efficient Gardens in Escondido, California. She lives 90 minutes north, so it’s a real treat when Pat visits and brings pots she’s made.

We may have a succulent in mind for a particular pot, but we don’t know for certain what will look best until we try it on, or rather in, the pot. Sometimes the best selection is unexpected, which is part of the fun.

We walk up and down the aisles with each pot, holding it alongside likely candidates, and bring the best back to a makeshift pairing area. In the video, I explain our thought processes, and why we eliminated (or went with) the plants we did.

Which pairings do you like best? Did you agree with our selections? Please tell us in the comments!

Helpful Links

On this particular topic, I've written thousands of words, taken loads of photos, and filmed well over a dozen YouTube videos. Here's a short list of must-see's:

• See my Succulent Container Gardens YouTube playlist.
• Find dozens of ideas on this site's Container Gardens page.
• Shop online for succulents in the video and more: Mountain Crest Gardens and Altman Plants.
• Be sure to watch my earlier video: Pick the Perfect Succulent for Your Pot. Includes potting how-to.
• Follow ceramic artist Pat Roach on Instagram @potterybypatrice.
• Learn about topdressings here on my site.
• Watch my video: How to Select Topdressings for Succulent Art Pots, with Jeanne Meadow.
• Hire a personal shopper for succulents (filmed at Oasis).
• Find collectible art pots and succulents at upcoming Cactus & Succulent Society Shows.

Succulent Container Design

Succulent Container Design Design ideas and must-dos for beautiful, easy-care potted succulents Here you’ll find info on succulent container design in articles and videos. Scroll down to see what interests you and best meets your needs. Click to see my gallery of 150+ floral-style arrangements! Succulent Container Gardens, How-To Welcome to the most comprehensive info…

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To Tree or Not to Tree? Ask Your Succulents Amazing tips

Do consider the need for shade when installing a succulent garden, especially if you---like me---live in a hot, dry region of the Southwest where winter frost is also a concern. Tree canopies moderate temperature extremes and create the dappled sunshine succulents love.

Dappled shade enhances my garden's succulent sitting area

Of course, not all succulents are the same. Twenty or more miles inland from the ocean, graptopetalums, echeverias, kalanchoes, small aloes, and aeoniums do best as understory plants. Same goes for succulents that are crested or variegated. Others---especially those native to the Americas (cacti, dasylirions, beaucarneas, yuccas, and agaves)---are usually fine out in the open.

Aeoniums thrive beneath Texas privets trimmed to show their branching structure

You and your family, guests and pets benefit from dappled shade, too. Trees create a sense of sanctuary, make sitting areas inviting, and frame views. Because they take years to mature, it's smart to get trees in the ground ASAP.

Can't plant trees or don't want to wait?

Alternatives include sun sails, patio umbrellas, pergolas and other free-standing shade structures. (Affiliate links). Also keep in mind that trees that you can see from your yard serve as "borrowed landscape." They provide greenery and focal points that can beautifully extend your garden beyond its boundaries.

Unfortunately no tree is perfect

All trees have pros and cons. Consider: every leaf and flower eventually dies and falls to the ground. The plus side is mulch; the downside, mess and maintenance. Mature trees need trimming every three to six years to remove dead, crossed or downward limbs; to enhance air circulation; and to show off their branching structure. This last is "lacing."

Those shadows! At upper right is a recently laced Acacia baileyana. The oak at center is borrowed landscaping.

"Topping" a tree---a quick way to gain a view---is unnatural and (ironically) can cause denser regrowth. It makes me crazy how, in a matter of seconds, a chainsaw-wielding chimpanzee can transform a tree from overgrown to awful. But really, isn't it we homeowners who should know better?

Your personal park

One joy of getting older is that trees you planted decades ago now tower overhead. During the past year, I had the largest ones on my half-acre professionally pruned: two acacias, two oaks and a podocarpus.

View from the deck: coast live oak on right, podocarpus on right. The oak was about a third that size when we moved here 33 years ago. It had survived a wildfire, and had a large scar that slowly healed over the ensuing decade. 

Pleased with how the garden looks, I took the photos above to show you. Compare them to others of my garden here on my site and on my YouTube channel, and I think you'll agree the difference is striking. Trees lend a sense of grandeur and lots of green. Having a personal park makes me wonder: Exactly why do I need succulents? (Don't quote me.)

My "tree guy"

Tree trimming specialist Jesus Leon

If you live in San Diego's North County, do call Leon Tree Service. I've known the family for decades. When he was 7, I asked Jesus Jr. (above) to climb my live oak to retrieve a toy airplane...and look...now he climbs trees for a living! (Should I take credit?) Jesus ("Hay-soos") laces like an artist, keeping trees' health and potential in mind. He doesn't trim if the time of year isn't right, and he knows how a pruned tree will look months---even years---afterwards. No disclaimer needed; I'm not compensated for this. It simply makes me happy to share Jesus with you.

Considering queen palms? Uh...

In my recent video about Arizona gardens, I mention that palms are good around pools and water features. I should have known better than to recommend trees I don't grow myself and have only a passing acquaintance with. A Phoenix viewer set me straight:

>I am no palm expert, but I can tell you from sad experience that Queen Palms are "low litter" only when properly maintained (that is, trimmed annually to remove the seed pods before they open and flower).  If they are not properly managed, they will DUMP flowers (which the wind carries everywhere!), tiny baby seeds (that get into your mulch, top dressing and potted plants and are a right pain in the behind to pick out!)  hard, green, grape-sized older seeds (that smart when they fall and hit you on the head, grr!), and ripe orange "berries"(which draw rats, ick!) all over the place.  If you don't stay on top of sweeping or vacuuming them up promptly, they will burrow into the soil (even through a lawn!) and sprout!  Seriously, if you can't keep up with the annual maintenance, I do NOT recommend planting these anywhere near a water feature, or anyplace else you want to keep clean and tidy!<<

My reply:

>Hi Janet -- Thank you for your valuable perspective. It goes to show, any plant---especially a tree---is potentially a nuisance in the wrong spot. It's also my observation, having lived for 3+ decades with over a dozen different kinds of trees---ranging from edible (citrus) to native (oaks) to ornamental (acacias, palo verdes, yuccas)---that each has benefits and drawbacks. Sometimes so much so that removal is the best option. Btw, I don't have queen palms, but I'm grateful for neighbors who do, because orioles that nest in the tall palms frequent my feeders. I placed pots of yellow jade nearby, and the color repetition is breathtaking. (I digress.)>>

What do you think?

Do you have a favorite landscape tree, or one you wish you'd never planted? Please tell us in the Comments!

 

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