Succulent Garden Maintenance, Part Two: Referrals
Do you know someone skilled in succulent garden maintenance whom you've worked with and really like? Do leave a recommendation here on my Referrals page. (Scroll down to the Comments.) And if you provide succulent garden maintenance yourself, tell us!
Help me connect professionals with homeowners to make this a great resource page. I'm counting on YOU!
Below: This is why people need succulent maintenance professionals. The agave (no doubt quite small at the time) shouldn't have been planted in that location in the first place...and now it needs to be removed.
IMHO this sad, mutilated agave and its pups should be put out of their misery.
Overwhelmed? Get Hands-On Help
I sympathize! If you can't get around to it, consider hiring someone skilled at succulent garden maintenance. A professional versed in the succulent scene will know ways to save you money on plants and materials; and can point out potential problems (like a century plant pup too close to a sidewalk).
Here's how:
In the Comments...
First state your city or region IN CAPS. Then give the service provider's name, contact info, website if any, and anything else that might be helpful.
Example: LOS ANGELES: Michael and Danielle Romero of Succulent Designs. CactusMike1@gmail.com. (323) 385-7802. Facebook: @SucculentDesignsLA.
Nothing posted for your area yet? Check back!
Disclaimer: This Succulent Maintenance Professional referral page is a forum for my website visitors. Recommendations in comments do not mean I'm endorsing a person or business. I take no responsibility for the veracity of the information provided. I'm not charging for this, nor do I expect compensation. If you feel that a comment is inaccurate or unwarranted, please let me know. -- Debra Lee Baldwin
Succulent Garden Maintenance, Part One: Tasks
Do these succulent garden maintenance tasks seasonally to keep your succulent garden healthy and looking good: Trim damaged or excessive growth
Prune succulents to show the beauty of the plants and keep them tidy. Use cuttings to
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Summer Care for Succulents: Heat and Sun Concerns
Don’t let summer sun and heat harm your succulents! Heat generally isn’t a concern. Although some succulents (like sempervivums) tend not to thrive in temps above 80 or 90 degrees F, the majority are fine. It’s heat plus sun that’s the concern.
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Interesting…this page has had 200 hits since I posted it two hours ago. They must all be people looking for recommendations for garden professionals, because no one left a comment. That goes to show how keen the demand is, wouldn’t you agree? Hopefully we’ll get a few…I’d really like to have at least one in each region where succulents grow well outdoors. If you’re hoping to make a connection, please check back! — Debra
LOS ANGELES: I highly recommend Michael and Danielle Romero of Succulent Designs. CactusMike1@gmail.com. (323) 385-7802. Facebook: @SucculentDesignsLA.
Michael and Danielle are GREAT, and work within your budget!
LOMPOC CA. Becky’s Creative Landscape & Design. Ca. licensed contractor 849110. Ph: 805.331.3483. Beckyslandscape.com
Beckys.landscape@verizon.net
NORTH LOS ANGELES: Mike Cusick, All Pro Landscape Management, Inc. mike@all-prolandscape.com
I met Mike when he came to my presentation at the Laguna Beach Garden Club last year. He drove two hours to get there (impressive)! He’s in Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley.
SAN DIEGO: I’ve known Melissa and Jon of CW Landscaping for years, and I very much admire their work ethic and design abilities, both in the landscape and containers. Their lovely designs are in all of my books. — Debra
Melissa says, “We absolutely do succulent maintenance for landscapes and container garden refreshing. We work all over San Diego, no limits.”
Website: https://cwdesignlandscaping.com
Email: cw.designlandscaping@yahoo.com
Instagram: @cw_design_landscaping
SOUTH REDONDO BEACH: I’m a Landscape Designer who uses mostly succulents and other drought tolerant plants. I also rework and refresh existing landscapes, containers, etc. and I agree that doing this seasonally is best. I have all of Debra Lee Baldwin’s books and am quite the fan! Am I really the first individual other than Debra Lee Baldwin to post a comment? @succulentdesignsbymary on Instagram.
I love following you in Instagram, Mary, and it was fun to meet at the Succulent Celebration. Thanks so much for posting!
I had Mary Roberts redo the succulents in my front yard planter and she did a great job! I highly recommend her!
Succulent Designs by Mary
succulentdesignsbymary.com
SAN DIEGO:
Garden Rhythms
(760)579-3497
http://www.gardenrhythms.net
email: steve@gardenrhythms.net
instagram:@gardenrhythms
Facebook:Garden Rhythms
We provide full scale landscape design and installation as well as periodic landscape maintenance all over San Diego County.
SAN DIEGO NORTH COUNTY: Schnetz Landscape, Inc. Design/Construction/Gardening Services. High-end. Superb in every regard!
SOUTHERN CA
Scott Jones
mobile: 619 302 1550
email: plantproco@att.net
website: http://www.plantscomprehensive.com
I work all over San Diego county and beyond. My main influence in landscaping with succulents and cactus is Michael Buckner; and of course each project has its own customization. And, I very much appreciate all that you’ve contributed as well.
Thanks!
I am looking for someone in the San Jose area.Would like some advice on an agave I have and other front yard issues.
I live in Fort Collins, CO. Our HOA is looking for someone.
WALNUT CREEK: Linnea Lion of LION-ARTED. linnea.lion@gmail.com. (925) 689-6891.
I have been assisting homeowners with their in-ground and container succulent gardens for over three years. I worked in the Ruth Bancroft Garden Nursery in Walnut Creek for four years as a sales associate, public speaker, video narrator and speaker, succulent dish garden designer and instructor. Several of my succulent designs are featured in more than one section of my website: Succulent Dish Gardens; Themed Container Plantings; Before and After Succulent Dish Gardens; Floral Design; a couple in Vignettes; and one in Landscape Design.
Linnea – do you know anyone in Sacramento?
Hello Kathryn,
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with anyone in the Sacramento area who designs with and maintains succulent gardens. I am familiar with and have met a gentleman who resides in Davis who is a succulent aficionado who also has a BLOG dedicated to succulents and more, Gerhard Bock. If you contact him via his BLOG he might know of someone in your area: https://www.succulentsandmore.com/
Another suggestion is to visit nurseries that have a focus on succulents and ask if they have any recommendations, such as:
The Prickly Pear
Plant nursery with a purpose
816 U St, Sacramento, CA 95818
Sacramento, CA
Closed ⋅ Opens 10AM Sun · (480) 717-8452
https://thepricklypear.com/
“Mona taught us how to properly care for our new little succulents.”
I hope this helps!
Thanks Linnea! I think very highly of RBG and anyone associated with them. — DLB
This is definitely a need – I operate an online training for people who want to start their own succulent plant business – this is so in demand right now, across the continent!
Thanks Jacki! It would be great if supply met demand. I imagine it won’t be for several years, though. Who knows, maybe someone will franchise the concept!
CHULA VISTA – Contact Frank Ohrmund for succulent garden installation and maintenance. Company is called Waterwise Botanicals IM
619-397-5300.
THOUSAND OAKS
http://www.succulentsbyvreeke.blogspot.com
Lori Vreeke created a succulent paradise of color, beauty, and harmony for a new drought tolerant landscape in my backyard! She planted succulent tapestries highlighted with ribbons of red lava rock,
California gold stone, and rubble. Lori is very knowledgeable with plant selection, maintenance, potted arrangements as well as installation of drip irrigation. Her succulent garden designs are outstanding!!!
I loved working with her and highly recommend Lori!
THOUSAND OAKS/VENTURA COUNTY
http://www.succulentsbyvreeke.blogspot.com/
Lori Vreeke has installed and designed many succulent landscapes. She has also worked with Laura Eubanks on several projects. She has a great eye for design. Check out her fabulous blogspot above.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about, Mary Ellen! Thank you!
PLEASANTON/DUBLIN/LIVERMORE TRI-VALLEY /BAY AREA Contact Sarah V Lee 510.220.7894 for succulent garden design, installation & maintenance, specializes in lawn conversion projects. IG: @succulentcornermom
SAN DIEGO NORTH COUNTY
Jean Nordstrom Landscape Design. Specialize in drought tolerant perennials and succulent gardens.
Installation and maintenance provided. Contact info: (760) 809-9336. Email jenseedz@aol.com
Website: https://www.jeansgardens.com
San Gabriel Valley / Phil Stillwell / phil2000@pacbell.net
Hello Debra, I am currently a licensed general contractor in the San Gabriel Valley. I am not a landscape contractor but have been considering starting a cactus and succulent landscape business here to service this very niche. I have several years of experience in my own yard and several other small side projects using cactus, succulents, low water gardening and landscape. Could you recommend any reading or other resources on starting and running such a business? Really enjoy your blog and Thanks for your help!
Hi Phil — What a great question! Here’s my HO (humble opinion):
Anyone who wants to start a business like you describe obviously needs a good working knowledge of cacti and succulents, and how individual varieties and ornamental companion plants thrive or struggle in a specific region. The San Gabriel Valley seems ideal, and not many landscapers there specialize in succulents. Unless I’m out of the loop, it seems the market is wide open.
Get to know knowledgeable succulent specialty nurserymen, growers, gardeners and homeowners. Attend Cactus & Succulent Society meetings, visit botanical gardens renowned for their succulent collections, and tour residential succulent gardens. One way to get a hand’s-on, working knowledge of succulents is to volunteer at the Huntington to help with their propagation and plant sales. That’s how succulent celebrity Patrick Anderson acquired his knowledge, not to mention the rare specimens he used to create his own world-class succulent garden. I’ll bet the networking would be good, too.
Of my three books, the one you need most is Designing with Succulents (2nd ed.)—it’s all about in-ground landscape design and is your best resource for good-performing, readily available succulents.
As you segue from general contracting to landscape design and installation, let garden clubs know you’re available as a speaker in exchange for getting the word out about what you offer. (If the idea horrifies you, join your local Toastmaster’s group. You’ll soon come up to speed, and they’re wonderful with frightened newbies.) There’s no getting around the fact that meeting prospective clients in person makes a huge difference. I’ve never met you, but I have no doubt you can be charming…and endearing when you share your passion.
Come up with a specialization within your niche…it could be anything…but it’s important to set yourself apart. Maybe you’re qualified to install hardscape and terracing, create curb appeal, or are good at working around mature trees and shrubs. Focus on what you love doing and want to do more of. This leads to the topic you’ll offer groups: “A Contractor Tells How to Prepare Your Yard for Succulents”, “Create Curb Appeal with Succulents,” “How to Add Succulents to a Mature Garden.”
Never miss an opportunity to get the word out about what you offer. Advertise in community newspapers, ask clients to recommend you on their NextDoor site, landscape a fire station in exchange for a tasteful sign that credits your business, and ask specialty nurseries to refer you to homeowners. Get involved in your own community (or the closest one that has the right client base, i.e. is high-end). Your neighbors need to know about you and your services so they can be proud you’re in their ‘hood.
Consider teaming up with an established garden designer who needs your skills. They may be strong in terms of plant knowledge and design, but weak when it comes to infrastructure and implementation. So rather than trying to be all things to all people, focus on what you do best. You’ll still specialize in succulent gardens, but you’ll be “the guy” who can do grading, build retaining walls, install big boulders, whatever.
Network with other designer/contractors. Consider offering your services gratis in exchange for helping an established designer on an installation, sort of like an internship. This might be best done away from your area, so you’re not perceived as competing. But as Laura Eubanks says, “There are plenty of yards for all of us.” Btw, Laura welcomes volunteers, or at least she used to. I should think someone with your skillset would be especially welcome, and Laura’s generous with sharing any and all information. Email: designforserenity@yahoo.com Learn more about how Laura mentors others and her own road to success in my Q&A with Laura.
You need an online presence…a place you can send prospective clients, to establish your credibility. If you’re not ready to create a website, a Facebook page will do. Populate it with photos of your work, and keep it current. Some designers have Instagram pages as well, but it’s difficult to sell your services that way. I suspect that prospective clients are likely to visit Houzz.
You probably already know this, but the landscape business is highly impacted by economic trends. A pretty yard is a luxury. If the economy tanks, landscapers are in trouble. In a booming economy, they can’t keep up with the demand. (So have a fall-back plan.)
Let me know how it goes. Btw, I hope others who visit this page will add their opinions and advice as well. — Debra
SAN DIEGO
Rande Witbeck
SEA GREEN SCAPES
858-945-3300
https://seagreenscapes.com
email: randewitbeck@gmail.com
instagram: @seagreenscapes
Specializing in succulent garden design and installation and offering maintenance services all over San Diego County. Also offering succulent staging services to the real estate sector!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Hello! My name is Michael Romero, owner of Succulent Designs. We are based in the L.A. area, but travel all over for Landscape designs, installations and maintenance. Specializing in cactus & succulent care and culture as well as California Friendly Plants in landscapes and container gardens. Contact me at 323-385-7802 cactusmike1@gmail.com
SAN DIEGO (North County)
Roxanne Kim-Perez
http://WWW.SingingGardens.com
Roxy@SingingGardens.com
(858) 860-6642
Instagram: @singinggardens
I specialize in succulent garden design, container design, and Zen garden. My inspiration for succulents came from a client who shared your first book “Designing with Succulents”. Since then I have been a sucker for succulents. I am in the process of developing an East meets West – Dry Zen Garden.
INLAND EMPIRE–RANCHO CUCAMONGA Pat Gonzales of DLS Landscape
email sogwop@gmail.com
phone (909) 982-5965
Pat and his assistant have cared for my Los Angeles Times-featured xeric garden in San Antonio Heights for several years now. They are knowledgeable, responsible, and tidy.