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  Now available! Succulent Container Gardens, the sequel to Designing with Succulents
 

Debra's NEW WEBSITE www.succulentchic.net celebrates container gardening.
 

As a garden photojournalist and author, my job is to find, photograph, and write about exceptional gardens for print publications and websites. I love all types of plants, but about ten years ago I developed a passion for succulents.

Succulents are plants that store moisture in fleshy leaves and stems. This allows them to survive periods of drought, such as when their owner forgets to water them. Common types include agaves, aloes, aeoniums, crassulas, euphorbias, echeverias, kalanchoes, sedums, and sempervivums.

The popularity of succulents is surging. Some reasons:

-- Water shortages and rationing are impacting many regions. Succulents are low-water plants---a lush alternative to thirsty lawns and flowerbeds.

-- Because they are full of water, succulents are fire-resistant and fire-retardant. They're an excellent landscape choice where wildfires are a concern.

-- Succulents are easy to cultivate and require minimal maintenance. Unless you want species that are rare (and expensive), you likely can get cuttings from friends and neighbors.

-- Succulents range in size from tiny-leaved ground covers to tall trees. Many have dramatic geometric shapes that add interest to gardens large and small. They also make great potted plants.

-- Their leaves and stems come in all colors, so succulents are intriguing year-round, not only when in bloom. And most produce vivid-hued flowers as well.

                             'Sticks on Fire', tuxedo agaves and blue senecio.

Are you concerned that your climate is inhospitable to succulents? Most sedums and sempervivums and some agaves and cacti will survive temperatures below freezing, but the majority of succulents are frost-tender. They also dislike prolonged wet conditions. But anyone, anywhere, can grow succulents in containers, which can be overwintered indoors.  

   Terracotta and blue-glazed pots lend design continuity to a container garden on a patio. 

Portrait of Debra (top left) is by Terry Rippee.

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