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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