Southern Gardener Rule #10: When All Flowers Fail From The Heat-Plant Succulents!

The Cranky Queen has learned that the southern sun in Alabama can be "deadly" to even the most heat tolerant of bloomers...Your garden and potted plants look beautiful in the Spring, making your chest swell with pride, then June & July roll around and UGH!, your flowering pride is deflated...Hot air at that!  BUT, there is hope for those who live in the hot, humid South! Succulents. Above is one of the Queen's little pots of various types of "heat lovers"...the little snail is an Alabama Clay Ceramic.

This pot has weathered thru harsh cold winters & unbearable HOT summers for years! The little squirrel and old rusty shovel add a little "drama" to the pot.

Don't you love the silvery texture of this pearl-like succulent? The vintage concrete bird with nest & babies is one of my favs!

Easy to find at any local Garden or Hardware store, this succulent will grow in the ground or in a pot and is a perennial for some areas. Here it is planted in a grapevine basket that hangs by my side entrance.

Master Gardeners say to mix your succulents, so the Queen did just that. Look at the little porcupine peeking up from its potted home. A vintage orange hand shovel adds color. Water only when soil becomes dry.

I have to introduce you to my gal pal, Melanie.  She is the expert on succulents.  She has grown all types of succulents & even remembers all of their names!  She has probably one of the best collections of succulents this side of the Mississippi River.  So I wanted to share her collection & unique ways of planting them. She says the container makes the pot!

This is a grouping of various succulents planted in old enamelware, rusty pots & strainers

I love this blue swirl enamel pan & Mel searches for these old stands when we are out junkin' & thriftin' at yard sales.

 

 

 

This rickety old chair with an angel peeking out serves as a perfect place to plant succulents.

Old enamelware (especially strainers) make the perfect containers

 

This green swirl enamel pot is perfect for any garden

Watering cans are not just for holding water these days. Check out the old rusty cup!

This warty little toad finds a perch on the side of this concrete container filled with a variety of succulents.

This tool chest filled with a wonderful variety of goodies was given to Mel for her @#!? Birthday by our dear friend Shannon.  Look closely at all the "trinkets" amongst the succulents. 

An old oil can, oil funnel, finial, rusty gear & old glass insulator. 

Succulents grouped in a garden setting makes an awesome impact!

Succulents can also be planted inside. I love this idea using old silver dishes & trays.

Well, I hope that you have gotten some fun ideas for "sprucing up" your garden when the HEAT takes over! Also, remember that most succulents can be weathered indoors in the winter. The keys to growing hardy succulents are good drainage,  not overH20ing, & sun!

Ruby Fawn says "It is HOT as my native land~Mexico! Where is my sombrero to block the sun?

STAY CALM & PLANT SOME SUCCULENTS!

Tiffany