Take a fresh look at succulents
There seems to be no middle ground with succulents. People either love them or loathe them! Many gardeners have unpleasant associations with them, due to the unfortunate treatment of this marvellous family of plants in the past. Succulents were frequently isolated and relegated to ugly rockeries, usually situated in a far corner of a garden, neglected and overgrown. The thought of an old-fashioned rockery, often an ugly conical heap of sand, with a few boulders and rocks poked in, and a bunch of thorny-looking plants unceremoniously added, is unlikely to thrill most modern gardeners.
But as new factors are added to gardening fashions, such as a trend towards gardening in a more natural style and ever-increasing water restrictions, the succulents are once again regaining fashionable credibility. Truly water-wise plants, many are well adapted to months and months without water. Many come from areas which are naturally arid throughout the year. Growing them in the Western Cape can thus be a little complicated by wet winters. But given excellent drainage, they adapt well to these conditions.
There are many indigenous succulent families, with thousands of species and variations, including the aloes, gasterias, euphorbias, vygies, cotyledons, haworthias, stapeliads and many others. There are many non-native succulents, such as the echeveria, agare (note that the sisalana or sisal hemp is a Category 2 invader and may not be planted) and ayonium families. Succulents are often misnamed as cacti, which originates in the Americas and is distinguished from the succulent family by having thorns. This can be confusing to the layman, as some of the succulents have thorny growths. These are not however, true thorns. The cacti are also easily identified by their flowers, which are usually iridescently coloured, are truly “flowerlike” in form, and are produced directly on the main body of the plant, with no stem. The succulents, which often have very charming flowers, usually produce them on stems, and they are very seldom “flower” shaped.
The succulent family is in general characterised by a huge variety of intriguing growth forms. Ranging in form from elegant and imposing to bizarre and sometimes fairly grotesque, whether you love them or hate them, you must admit they are fascinating! These intriguing forms make them ideal focal points and foliage contrast plants. Instead of relegating them to isolated rockeries, it is now becoming fashionable to use them integrated into normal garden beds, contrasting with other plants. Consider planting a tall columnar aloe (e.g. A. ferox) alongside a restio for a rich visual contrast. The plakkie family (Cotyledons) with their marvellous round leaves and sturdy trunklike stems also make a strong statement. Try combining these easy succulents with a fine-leafed companion, (e.g. Confetti bush) for a striking contrast.
In addition to their intriguing leaves, many of the succulents provide an added bonus in the form of striking flowers. The aloe family is an excellent example, as are the easily grown vygies with their masses of brilliantly coloured flowers. The succulents usually prefer sunny conditions, but can also be grown in areas which have late afternoon shade.
Succulents are ideal pot subjects. They seldom have huge root systems, so adapt readily to container conditions. But don’t plant them in tiny containers unless they are dwarf varieties. They grow best outdoors, in full or half sun. If you wish to grow them indoors, try to situate them in an area with plenty of natural light, but be careful of windowsills, as the sun can be magnified by the glass, and can burn the leaves. As a general rule, succulents grown in containers should be properly watered once a week in the hot seasons, and less in winter and early spring. And don’t just sprinkle the surface of the soil! Like all plants, the succulents need water and food to thrive. The soil in the container should be thoroughly drenched. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Drainage holes in the container are essential.
Succulents grown in garden beds will be happy with a once a week watering. They are usually in active growth in spring and autumn, and will grow surprisingly quickly if they receive regular water during these periods. Irrigation in summer and winter is unnecessary, but they will tolerate moderate quantities of water if they are in mixed beds which are regularly watered.
They are often dumped into poor sandy soils and left to fend for themselves. Although they are remarkably adaptable plants, and survive the most awful neglect, they are seldom seen at their best in such conditions. They thrive on well prepared, well drained soil. Given plenty of compost and manure they grow fast and robust, flower well and are excellent garden subjects. They are completely indifferent to wind, and are very useful in tricky coastal conditions.
Most succulents commercially propagated in South Africa are exported to Europe and the East, where they have many more fans than they seem to have here at home. Recently, when travelling in France, I was delighted to spot a beautifully cared for gasteria taking pride of place in a mossy courtyard. Its proud “parent” brings it inside for the cold winter months, and it returns outside in late spring. And there were lots for sale in the posh Parisian garden shops!
It is not always easy to acquire specimens of unusual succulents, mainly because the demand has not been large, so nurseries have limited stocks. As the demand increases, so will the supply! They are usually fairly easy to propagate, so ask a neighbour for a branch of a desirable succulent. Leave it in a shady place for a few days before planting in a sunny area. They usually produce roots fairly quickly.
PLEASE don’t take succulents from the wild. There is a true and famous story of a lady living on a farm in the Klein Karoo. She noticed a special succulent, and gave plants from the colony to anyone who was interested. By the time a botanist recognised a unique species in a pot somewhere, the entire colony on the farm had been decimated. It turned out to have been the only population of its kind, anywhere.
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