This container combo is the easiest I have ever planted. It lasted for a full 18 months (protected from frost) with no watering other than rainfall. That’s right – I planted it and never touched it again for its entire lifespan. If you kill this one, please let me know because that would be one for the record books!
The gorgeous blue strawberry pot is planted with succulents, which are commonly available now in most garden centers. Their durability, coupled with their unique appearance, have made them the rage with container designers.
The Plants
Agave univitata: One plant from a 6” pot.
Echeveria spp.: Four plants from 4” pots.
‘String of Bananas’: Three plants from 3” pots.
Aloe ‘Black Doran’: One plant from a 4” pot.
Aloe spinossissima: One plant from a 4” pot.
Growing Information
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Season: Most succulents take temperatures from 35 to well over 100 degrees F.
Lifespan: This arrangement lasted 18 months in this container. It was protected from frost.
Care: Fertilize on planting day with a slow-release mix. Repeat if the leaves look yellowish or washed-out. That’s it! This is a really easy design.
Water: I never watered this container, but it rained at least once a week during its lifespan. Succulents need water every ten days to three weeks. Be sure the potting mix is bone dry before watering. Signs of overwatering include leaf loss and spots of rot. A sign that they need water is shriveled leaves. They need less water in cooler weather than in hotter weather.
Troubleshooting: Watch out for thorns! Otherwise, succulents grow slowly and have few problems with disease or insects. Many of these plants can be maintained in the same pot for a very long time.
Planting Plan: Handle the plants gently; they are fragile. Wear gloves to protect your hands from spines. Plant one large succulent in the top and one or two small ones in each side pocket. Avoid potting mixes that include water-retaining substances.
Container: Anamese blue strawberry jar (24”H x 20”W). The size of the side pockets are a nice feature of this container. They are large enough to fit plants in 4” pots. Most garden centers carry a large variety of succulents in 4” pots, which makes them an ideal choice for the side pockets in this strawberry pot. Go to www.anamese.com for sources.
This is an excerpt from Pamela Crawford’s book, Easy Container Gardens, available through Amazon and other online booksellers.
Pamela Crawford, author of 12 gardening books, is considered one of the most accomplished container gardening experts in the country. In addition to designing gardens for over 1500 residences, her work has been featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens publications as well as in Southern Living, HGTV Magazine, Fine Gardening, Country Gardens, and in over 300 newspapers. As an expert in her field, she has appeared on the Fine Living Network, GardenSMART, gardenloverstv.com and numerous local tv shows.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Delilah Onofrey, Suntory Flowers
Photographs courtesy of Suntory Flowers
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