Have you noticed that a new and interesting garden trend this year seems to be succulent planters? They add a contemporary twist on planters, and because succulents are so carefree, they make an easy and welcome addition to our planter collections.
Let’s start with something easy: hens and chicks! Hens and chicks don’t care if the soil they are in is poor: in fact, they thrive in it, as long as the soil is well drained. So first of all, let’s start with a container: almost any kind will do, but something flatter and wider will best display the beautiful textures of the hens and chicks (or whatever succulent you may choose). Just be sure that the container has good drainage. Don’t worry about using top grade soil, in fact, you can even add a bit of sand to the soil to help drainage.
Now comes the complicated part: planting your hens and chicks. It’s mostly just a matter of laying the hens and chicks gently on the soil and pressing them in slightly. Water gently and sparingly to settle to soil in around the roots, and that’s it! Hens and chicks are easy to please with light requirements, enjoying either full sun to partial shade. These babies are practically pest-free, and your biggest problem may come by watering them too much.
Make your planter even more interesting by adding a few well-placed rocks, a piece of driftwood or an interesting dry branch, or even a small statue or ceramic pagoda. Or just let the plants shine in all their glory!
Add variety by using other succulents such as gold moss stonecrop or whatever kind of succulent is handy. Just break off a couple small stems, tuck them into the soil, and in no time they will begin to thrive. Different colors and textures are what make the succulent planter interesting. Add various heights by incorporating an interesting grass. These suggestions are made so that we can use what we have readily available; but if you discover a wildly exotic succulent while you’re plant shopping, go ahead and make a really premium planter!
If you are using “outdoor” succulents like hens and chicks or certain stonecrops, it would probably be best to plant them into the garden in the fall; most plants in planters will not survive outside over the winter. Don’t disturb the roots; just lift as much soil as possible and place gently in your garden. Then they will be ready to “transplant” back into a planter again in the spring!
Some other gardening notes: the City of Yorkton “Yorkton In Bloom” competition is coming up. Maybe this is your year to share your garden with other enthusiastic gardeners in the city! The deadline to enter is 4:00 PM on July 8. Judging will be July 11 to 13, and the bus tour to see the winning entries will be on Friday, July 22, with two tour times: 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. For more information call (306) 786-1776 or (306) 786-1750.
For those of you who enjoy gardening magazines, a sad note: “Canadian Gardening” magazine will no longer be published. It has been a fixture in the hands of eager gardeners for 27 years, and I know many of us looked forward to every issue. So be sure to hang on to your copies for reference!
Canada Day is coming up; we are so blessed to live in this wonderful country, so “plant” a little Canadian flag in your planters on July 1! Last year we were in England on Canada Day, and my, how I missed home that day! So this year I will savor our little garden with gratitude, and thank God for the blessing of being Canadian. Have a great week! Happy Canada Day!
