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How to Plant Succulents in the Garden

2612 Views 248 Liked Posted on: August 17th 2018
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Succulents look great not only in bowls and containers, but also in the garden! They are water wise, low maintenance and offer all kinds of sizes, shapes, textures and colours to a landscape garden or rockery garden design.

Planting succulents into the garden is a super easy process. With some simple preparation of the soil prior to planting, your succulents will thrive and live a very happy life in the ground. Here are some simple step by step tips and tricks to help get you started incorporating succulents into your garden.

Plant Selection

When deciding what succulents to use in your garden design, consider what look you would like to achieve - Plant in rows to create a border, or plant in a group to create a mass effect. Plant a feature plant on its own that has spectacular height and geometry like Aloe or Aeonium (pictured - Aeonium aboreum velour). If you are after a hedge, Crassula and Portulacaria are a great choice. If planting in a retaining wall, choose low to the ground varieties, like most Sedum varieties, to create a pleasant 'spill over' effect. Play around with colours and textures; plant a group of Senecio serpens 'Blue Chalk Sticks' for a sea of blue, or Crassula ovata 'Hummel's Sunset' for a beautiful orange.

If you find you are not happy with your arrangement - dig them up and move them around! Succulents are fantastic for their tolerances to environmental changes and will happily survive being re-located.

Consider Sunlight

Choose a position in the garden that suits your succulents' needs. Most succulents can tolerate a full sun position, once properly established. To help non-established succulents from burning in WA's extreme summer heat, you can setup temporary shade cloth.

Some succulents prefer a part shade position, like species of Haworthia or Gasteria, so be sure to check the plant's label for specific aspect requirements.

Step by Step Guide

Step 1
Prepare your soil a day or so before planting. Start by clearing any weeds. Then dig up and turn the soil over to aerate the ground. Add a soil improver/conditioner as directed and mix it through - this will help to improve the soil's ability to retain water and nutrients. Apply a wetting agent as directed to improve the soil's water penetration - water in thoroughly and allow to drain. If your soil is clay, apply some gypsum as directed and coarse grain sand to help break up the clay and improve the soil's drainage. Water in thoroughly and allow to drain. All these products are available at your local independent plant nursery.
Step 2
Dig a hole twice the size of your succulent root ball.
Step 3
Plant your succulent so that the base of the plant is level to the existing ground. Replace the soil around the root ball.
Step 4
Water in your succulents thoroughly. Apply a controlled release fertiliser as directed.
Step 5
Mulch your garden. This will keep the soil cool in Summer, warm in Winter, and reduce the soil's water evaporation rate. Pebbles, wood chips and gravel all make excellent mulches - just be sure to keep the mulch away from the base of your plant, as this can cause rotting.

Care & Maintenance

Water

Summer - Water your succulents everyday for the first summer. Once roots are established, you can decrease watering to twice a week.

Winter - There is no need to water your succulents at all in the winter months. Watch out for plants hidden under the eaves of your house that receive little to no rain during winter. Water these succulents once a week.

Autumn/Spring – Water your succulents once a week in both autumn and spring. Increase if it is unusually hot.

Aspect
Most succulents will grow in full sun or part shade. However, be sure to check the label for specific aspect requirements, as some succulents may not tolerate the full sun and prefer part shade.
Fertiliser
Fertilise your succulents every six months with a controlled release fertiliser. Apply as directed when your succulent is actively growing. A regular application of a seaweed solution will help to build thick cell walls and reduce the impact of pests and diseases on your plants.
When to Plant
Succulents can be planted into a garden at any time of the year. However, because of Australia's intense summer heat, succulents planted in the full sun may need a little protection (such as a piece of shade cloth) for their first summer season.
Maintenance
Prune your succulents regularly to encourage new, dense growth. By doing so, you will help prevent your plants from looking elongated and leggy.
Tag: How-to
Posted in: Beginner's Guide
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