Welcome! This site is about growing, designing with and enjoying succulent plants in gardens and containers.
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SAVE THE DATES ~ JUNE 7-8 (Friday and Saturday) SUCCULENT CELEBRATION near San Diego coincides with the release of my new book, Succulents Simplified. I'll give presentions and sign all three of my books both days. Come hear top horticulturist-designers who also are terrific speakers, attend potting demos, tour gorgeous gardens, and shop for outstanding (and unusual) plants and gifts!
I'm also speaking at South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes, CA, June 22; San Diego Hort Society July 8; Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, July 27; Heather Farm/Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA Sept. 25; Bay Area Succulent Extravaganza in Castroville Sept. 27-28; and the Laguna Beach (CA) Garden Club, Oct. 11.
Succulents store moisture in fleshy leaves and stems to survive periods of drought (such as when you forget to water them). Varieties include agaves, aloes, aeoniums, echeverias, jades, hens-and-chicks and stonecrops.
...water shortages and drought impact many regions.
...they're a good lawn alternative.
...they're fire-resistant and fire-retardant.
...they're simple to cultivate and propagate.
...they require minimal maintenance.
...they range in size from ground covers to trees.
...many have geometric shapes.
...they add interest to gardens large and small.
...leaves and stems come in every color including blue.
...they're intriguing year-round.
...most produce long-lasting, vivid flowers.
...new cultivars are being introduced all the time.
...they're more readily available than ever before.
...they're highly collectible.
I have a passion for plants that drink responsibly. Not only are succulents beautiful
to look at, they're a great option for lazy gardeners (like me).
I garden on a half acre in the foothills of Southern CA, where temps range from below
freezing to 110 degrees F. I grew up with succulents, have grown them for years,
and as a garden photojournalist, author, speaker and consultant am keenly aware
of ways to use the plants in landscapes and containers.
I got my start covering homes, gardens, architecture and interior design for the
San Diego Union-Tribune. I went on to scout, write and shoot for major magazines.
In 2005, my Sunset editor suggested I do a book on succulents. That changed my life!
Designing with Succulents came out in 2007 and spent 19 weeks on Amazon's list of the
Top Ten Bestselling Gardening Books. The sequel Succulent Container Gardens (2010)
also topped the charts. Succulents Simplified: Growing, Designing and Crafting with 100 Easy-Care Varieties is a spring, 2013 Timber Press release.