Landscape Plants » Ground Covers

Sedums and Succulents: Unique Topiary Projects

landscapeliving — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:59:29 +0000

Succulents and sedums are members of a group of plants that can thrive in almost any condition. They love sun, tolerate drought, and offer a variety of colors, shapes, textures to add drama to a garden or in pots. Few people would consider these as plants to use to create unique topiary projects.

Topiary is, by definition, simply locating or trimming plants in such a way that a specific shape is suggested. You may think of these creations as traditional ivy growing over a wire frame or carefully trimmed shrubs. Why limit topiaries to these restrictions when you can explore all sorts of unique ideas?

First, we need to understand what succulents and sedums require to thrive. They are so easy to care for; even a person who says they have a brown thumb can enjoy success with these species of hardy plants. Burrows tail, stone plant, giant rose, pork and beans plant, string of pearls are only a few of the common names of sedums and succulents that you may recognize.

Sedums are also known as stonecrops, in part because they are often found in the wild growing in outcroppings of stone or rock where little soil is available or growing in a niche in a cliff or rock wall where a bit of soil as collected. By their very name suggests, they are perfect for rock gardens.

Both sedums and succulents share the ability to store moisture in their leaves and stems. This gives their leaves the fleshy appearance. Many species are structured in a fountain or circular growth pattern to trap trace moisture during droughts.

While succulents and sedums include huge plants and small and some have attractive blooms, a topiary project should focus on the smaller, delicate species of sedums and succulents. Beautiful plantings in creative containers can be designed using the wide range to textures, leaf shapes, and colors found in these easy-to-grow plants

The Key To Sucess .

The key to success in designing a gorgeous topiary design with succulents and sedums is the container selected. Frequently, these [plants] are grouped into desert-like miniature landscapes in large, round, terra cotta pot saucers. If you think outside the box a bit, you have many other options.

One idea for a unique topiary project of sedums and succulents is to choose a basket with a handle. Place some sphagnum moss in the bottom and on the inner sides of the basket. Add cactus potting mix and place your collection of plants into the basket.

Take this idea one step further and cover the exterior of a rough-edged vine basket by attaching the moss with florists pins strategically placed. Youâ€™ll want a thick covering of moss to create this type of topiary. Tuck pockets of cactus potting mix into pockets formed in the sphagnum moss and place your selected sedums and succulents into these pockets. Add more moss as needed and additional florist pins.

Youâ€™ll become the envy of all your friends when they see your unique topiary ideas. Unlike topiary specimens that require continual trimming, topiary projects like the basket above require very little maintenance except watering once or twice per week and fertilizer annually.

You can create bold tapestries in larger pots by mixing various sedums and succulents whose leaf sizes and colors provide pleasing contrasts. Simple combinations are often the most effective.
For a finished look, choose a pot that echoes the succulents' colors. A pink or yellow pot, for example, provides a softly elegant setting for an aeonium with green-and-cream striped leaves edged in rose (such as A. decorum 'Sunburst'). White-glazed pots add a light, summery look to white-variegated agaves, such as striped A. americana 'Striata', which stays much smaller than its pot-breaking cousins; A. parviflora, which has curly white threads; or short-leafed A. victoriae-reginae. Set potted succulents in entryways and sitting areas where their tidy geometry can be enjoyed up close.
Caring for succulents
Certain stonecrops and sempervivums tolerate bitter cold, but most succulents need frost protection. In cold climates, grow them in pots and move them to a greenhouse or other protected spot during winter. Full sun is fine for most agaves and aloes, but aeoniums and echeverias prefer partial shade, especially in hot inland areas.
If temperatures in your area seldom dip below 30Â° or exceed 100Â°, you can grow succulents effortlessly on a bright patio or in dappled sun, in soil that drains well. Indoors, set them near a sunny window and provide good air circulation.
Once established, succulents seldom need pruning or thinning. Fertilize them lightly in spring, clip spent blooms, and give them just enough water to keep their leaves plump.

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Tags: Ground Covers

Ground Cover Plants for Sunny Spots

landscapeliving — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 19:24:23 +0000

Ground cover plants can be very handy. They are like a living mulch, filling in between the other plants, helping the ground stay cool and making every inch of your flower bed or yard look pretty.

Ground cover can be a great choice for difficult spots like steep hills and shady spots. But even if you donâ€™t have one of these trouble spots, a ground cover plant can fill in the blank spots in your existing landscaping with ease.

Ground cover plants arenâ€™t necessarily low to the ground; it is their spreading habit that makes them useful. Mint is a great example. Though mint grows tall, it spreads like crazy. Plant a little in a sunny corner and soon it will be everywhere. I have a friend who fondly remembers the mint gone wild in his childhood yardâ€”whenever he would mow the lawn the mint scent would come out.

Ground covers are planted in the spring or early summer so they have a long time to get established before the cold months. They usually donâ€™t need a lot of care but should be well watered for the first year or so to help them establish strong roots. Ground cover plants are usually spaced about a foot apart, but you can plant them closer together for an instant transformation, or farther apart if you are on a budget. It will all work out in the end.

There are many great ground cover plants for your sunny garden, in addition to mint. Here are just a few that you can choose from.

Creeping juniper: If youâ€™re looking for a evergreen creeping ground cover, creeping juniper is an excellent choice. It has blue or green foliage most of the year, which can turn purple or gray in the winter. Creeping juniper usually grows to a height of one or two feet and spreads two to four feet. This is a great choice for a steep slope that needs erosion control.

Creeping phlox: If you have a sunny dry spot where nothing grows, creeping phlox could be the solution. This dense, moss-like plant has pink, purple or white flowers and it is evergreen in warm climates. Creeping phlox is great for rock gardens, as it will naturally follow the contours of the rocks.

Yucca: If you live in the desert or somewhere that is warm year-round, yucca can be used as an effective ground cover. These plants are usually two or three feet tall, making them a little big for a traditional ground cover, but they look striking in a rock garden or planted with succulents.

Creeping thyme: Like mint, thyme is a creeping herb plant that is a wonderful ground cover. There are even ornamental varieties of thyme that have red flowers and are meant for planting as a ground cover instead of for eating. These plants range from one to four inches tall and can spread 12 to 18 inches, making them an ideal ground cover. Plant creeping thyme in between stepping stones or along a path so that you will smell it when you walk by and rub against it. (You can do this with lavender as well, though it tends to be a little tall for a ground cover.)

Ice plant: With a name like ice plant, youâ€™d guess that this plant would be happy in shade, but this spiky plant that looks sort of like a flowering rosemary is a winner for the sunny garden. The best part is that you can grow it from seed and it will bloom in just four months and stick around as a perennial. Blooms are magenta or other colors and come in the summer. The plant is only about two inches tall and spreads to 12 to 15 inches, and it grows well even in your hottest spots.

There are many other options for ground covers in the sunny garden, including flowers like petunias, lily of the valley and crocuses, herbs like rosemary and chamomile, and small shrubs like sedum and sweet woodruff. Once you get started planting ground covers, youâ€™ll be tempted to pull up all your grass and fill your yard with these reliable beauties. You may never have to mow again!

ground covers