Succulent Experts
Visit Botanic Wonders & See Al Klein’s Succulent Rarities
You think you like succulents? Al Klein of Botanic Wonders nursery calls them “an addiction.” Al is a comet on the cactus and succulent scene. It seems he’s everywhere, doing speaking engagements, selling on the show circuit, greeting nursery visitors, and sharing a lifetime of info and enthusiasm. Al’s story bubbles out of him as…
Read MorePsychology of Succulents with Grower-Hybridizer Steven Hammer
In my latest video, mesemb expert Steven Hammer delves into the psychology of succulents. “The entire succulent preoccupation is a transposition of another form of desire,” he says. “This insight is not unique to me, and is certainly not original. I just say it more often than some people do.” I love the way his…
Read MoreTour an Arizona Estate Garden
For 15 years majordomo Woody Woodruff has kept everything running smoothly for billionaire homeowners on 7 acres in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, in Paradise Valley NE of Phoenix. His love of his “babies”—thousands of cacti and succulents—is evident, as is his Southern drawl.
Read MoreSee Rich Zeh’s 30-Year Succulent & Cactus Collection
Rich Zeh has an Aladdin’s trove of cacti and succulents. “I’m pretty much maxed out on space,” he says of his one-acre garden and greenhouse in Paradise Valley (Phoenix) Arizona.
Read MoreNew Must-Have Agave Book
The new book, “Agaves: Species, Cultivars & Hybrids” by Jeremy Spath and Jeff Moore is a must-have for its images alone. Stunning photos capture the beauty and fierceness of these sculptural succulents in ways both artistic and definitive. It’s a must-have for plant IDs
Read MoreSucculent Topiary Tips, Care and How-To
Expert Pat Hammer shows step-by-step how to make a succulent topiary beginning with a moss-filled wire frame and cuttings. Pat shares design, DIY, watering, pruning, long-term care, and helpful tips.
Read MoreHow to Grow Tree Aloes (Aloe barberae)
If you have room in your garden and a mild climate, consider adding a tree aloe or two. Aloe barberae (Aloe bainesii, Aloidendron barberae), Africa’s largest aloe, is sculptural,
Read MoreTom Cole’s Remarkable Rare Aloe Nursery
Tom Cole’s aloe-collecting hobby has turned into a unique nursery. Hundreds of seed-grown African aloes thrive in pots or in the ground at his Cold Spring Aloes near Lotusland in Montecito, south of Santa Barbara, CA.
Read MoreSee Hidden Agave Nursery’s Rare Agaves
Hidden Agave Nursery is more than a source of rare and unusual agaves, it’s fast-tracking this popular succulent genus to its full potential. Owner Jeremy Spath specializes in species and cultivars that don’t get overly large, perform well in gardens, and are exceptionally beautiful. I share his fascination with
Read MoreWhat Makes Succulents SUCCULENT?
Become a better plant parent by learning the “how’s” and “why’s” of these lovable chubby plants. Discover what makes succulents so efficient. Slicing and squishing may seem unkind, but be assured there’s method to my madness.
Read MoreJim Bishop’s Steep, One-Acre Garden
Jim Bishop’s steep, one-acre terraced garden in San Diego is unlike any other, except perhaps Jardin Exotique d’Èze near Monaco, overlooking the Mediterranean. “But there, they have to dig basins into
Read MoreMy Succulent Podcast with a British Nurseryman
Recently I did a succulent podcast with British nurseryman Alan Lodge of Newlands Nursery. We were on opposite sides of the planet, but we chatted as though in the same room. Alan hosts weekly podcasts with international gardening experts.
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