Style Queens: Design Ideas for Sculptural Succulents
Hardworking and reliable, succulents deserve a place in the garden that enhances their bold form and beautiful foliage
Succulents are probably the toughest, most easy care and eye-catching plants you can have in the garden. They’re also extremely versatile, looking equally fabulous whether planted in containers as architectural focal points, ground covers or even wall art. Some succulents, particularly Yuccas and Agave, often receive bad press, but it’s usually when they’re planted in unsuitable places amid a sea of grey pebbles. Happily, we’re now seeing more imaginative and appropriate ways to use hard-working succulents, as these 10 ideas illustrate.
Are succulents still trending?
Are succulents still trending?
On the wall
Succulents are the perfect plant for the increasingly popular vertical wall gardens as many thrive with very little soil around their roots. For best success with vertical succulent gardens choose small, low-growing plants such as Echeveria, Sempervivens, Sedum, Haworthia and Gasteria.
Succulents are the perfect plant for the increasingly popular vertical wall gardens as many thrive with very little soil around their roots. For best success with vertical succulent gardens choose small, low-growing plants such as Echeveria, Sempervivens, Sedum, Haworthia and Gasteria.
Groundforce
Sedum, Echeveria, Senecio, Sempervivums and many other low-growing succulents make excellent ground covers, forming a dense mat that resists weed germination, retains moisture in the ground and looks good all year round. For a very contemporary look try mixing succulents (in this case Echeveria elegans) with different coloured pebbles, as shown in this garden designed by Andrew Renn.
Sedum, Echeveria, Senecio, Sempervivums and many other low-growing succulents make excellent ground covers, forming a dense mat that resists weed germination, retains moisture in the ground and looks good all year round. For a very contemporary look try mixing succulents (in this case Echeveria elegans) with different coloured pebbles, as shown in this garden designed by Andrew Renn.
On the roof
You can’t use plants that have deep root systems on roof gardens unless you strengthen the floor substrate to cope with the weight of large planters filled with soil mix. Roof garden plants also need to be able to cope with hot, drying winds and little water. Many succulents fit this bill and still look stunning, as shown in this Japanese-themed rooftop garden in the Sydney suburb of Glebe planted with Crassula and Sedums.
Take a look around this rooftop garden
You can’t use plants that have deep root systems on roof gardens unless you strengthen the floor substrate to cope with the weight of large planters filled with soil mix. Roof garden plants also need to be able to cope with hot, drying winds and little water. Many succulents fit this bill and still look stunning, as shown in this Japanese-themed rooftop garden in the Sydney suburb of Glebe planted with Crassula and Sedums.
Take a look around this rooftop garden
Side view
Narrow side gardens can also be problematic places to plant as they often have little space for garden beds. In this contemporary Perth garden the high, light-coloured walls would also reflect heat, making the area very hot and dry. Tim Davies Landscaping has used planters of heat and drought-tolerant Echeveria and Kalanchoe beneath a frangipani tree as well as other succulents to break up the length of this side garden, creating an interesting journey from the front to the back of the house.
Narrow side gardens can also be problematic places to plant as they often have little space for garden beds. In this contemporary Perth garden the high, light-coloured walls would also reflect heat, making the area very hot and dry. Tim Davies Landscaping has used planters of heat and drought-tolerant Echeveria and Kalanchoe beneath a frangipani tree as well as other succulents to break up the length of this side garden, creating an interesting journey from the front to the back of the house.
Sculptural statement
Why have an inanimate artwork when you can plant a piece of living sculpture like this stunning dragon tree (Draceana draco) in the garden? These handsome trees can grow up to 20m high in gardens but planting in containers will keep them more compact. Uplighting the dragon tree at night enhances the sense of drama.
Why have an inanimate artwork when you can plant a piece of living sculpture like this stunning dragon tree (Draceana draco) in the garden? These handsome trees can grow up to 20m high in gardens but planting in containers will keep them more compact. Uplighting the dragon tree at night enhances the sense of drama.
Repeat performance
Repetition is a powerful landscape design element particularly suited to contemporary gardens such as this one in Perth. Here the designer has planted several century plants (Agave attenuata) in a row to border this deck, the repetition increasing the impact of their dramatic architectural shape.
Repetition is a powerful landscape design element particularly suited to contemporary gardens such as this one in Perth. Here the designer has planted several century plants (Agave attenuata) in a row to border this deck, the repetition increasing the impact of their dramatic architectural shape.
Complement shapes …
Succulents are the perfect container plant, looking good despite limited space for roots and potting mix, and often very little water. For best effect choose a pot that complements the form of the plant. Here the rosette shape of the Echeveria works beautifully with the round shape of the shallow concrete bowl.
Succulents are the perfect container plant, looking good despite limited space for roots and potting mix, and often very little water. For best effect choose a pot that complements the form of the plant. Here the rosette shape of the Echeveria works beautifully with the round shape of the shallow concrete bowl.
… or go for contrast
Planting softly draping Sedums with the upright vertical form of these Aspidistra is genius – the contrast of the colours and form make a stunning display. Aspidistra like dry shade so the designer has also used a shade tolerant Sedum at its base.
Planting softly draping Sedums with the upright vertical form of these Aspidistra is genius – the contrast of the colours and form make a stunning display. Aspidistra like dry shade so the designer has also used a shade tolerant Sedum at its base.
Theme park
Succulents can be used to express many different design themes from Mediterranean and Mexican to Balinese and minimalist. Here in an Asian-style Perth garden, the sword-shaped foliage of this variegated Furcraea is repeated again in the upright purple and green leaves of Moses in the Cradle (Rhoeo spathacea nana).
YOUR SAY
What do you love most about succulents? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE
7 Common Garden Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Garden
How to Choose the Right Garden Edging for Your Outdoor Space
Dream Spaces: Discover a Secret Garden of Your Own
Succulents can be used to express many different design themes from Mediterranean and Mexican to Balinese and minimalist. Here in an Asian-style Perth garden, the sword-shaped foliage of this variegated Furcraea is repeated again in the upright purple and green leaves of Moses in the Cradle (Rhoeo spathacea nana).
YOUR SAY
What do you love most about succulents? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE
7 Common Garden Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
9 Ways to Create a More Sustainable Garden
How to Choose the Right Garden Edging for Your Outdoor Space
Dream Spaces: Discover a Secret Garden of Your Own
What better way to guide visitors to your front door than with a pair of planters filled with dramatic Aloe? The beautiful rosette form of the Aloe complements the contemporary architecture of the house, their grey-green foliage vividly silhouetted against the white walls of the building.