CasaSugar

Garden Therapy: Hearty Plants For the Black of Thumb

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

If you're hopeless with plants, don't resort to plastic potted palms. Try succulents instead. These low-maintenance plants seem to flourish with a lack of attention. Forget to water them for a month? Don't worry, they'll survive. They're also easy to propagate. Instructables has an easy set of instructions on how to start new succulents from cuttings. Even the blackest of black thumb gardeners should be able to do it.

Like the look of this planter? Find out how to assemble it here.

Do You Have Succulents In Your Garden?

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:04 -0700

Not only are succulents a great choice for low-water-use gardens, they can also add beautiful texture and shape to a garden. Are there any succulents around your home?

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How-To: Care For Succulents

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:00:25 -0700

Last Friday, I featured Kelly's cool succulent favors in the Weekend DIYs. Kelly wrote to me to announce that she's just opened up a shop featuring her succulent designs. I'm a huge fan of these hardy plants, and I'm also loving the designs that Kelly features at SucculentLOVE. Specializing in creating fresh, modern displays for succulents, Kelly's designs run the gamut, from rustic and pretty to modern and chic. While she's currently only selling and delivering in the Los Angeles area, she's setting up a shipping system and aims to have it in place by the end of the Summer. While succulents are low-care, they certainly aren't no-care plants. To hear Kelly's tips for taking care of succulents, read more.

Succulents would rather you ignore them than lavish them with attention. This way they'll actually grow better.
When the soil is completely dried out, spritz your succulent with water from a spray bottle to keep it from getting too parched.
Full sun is best!
If your succulent develops any brown leaves, simply pull them off and let the plant keep growing.
Give your succulent a breath of fresh air once in a while by placing it on a porch or a balcony.

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How-To: Create a Simple and Elegant Patio Garden

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:00:41 -0700

Short on space? That's no reason to forego a garden. This homeowner took advantage of a nook to create a container garden that's both soothing and elegant.
If you have a similar space that could benefit from a bit of greenery, start with beautiful pottery. Since this will be a container garden, your containers should be coordinated or complementary, since all eyes will be on the containers as well as the plants. Choose plants depending on how much light the space receives, but make sure they're no-fuss, low-maintenance plants. Succulents are a great choice. You can also add visual interest by playing with height and dimension. Try some fast-growing bamboo to train eyes upwards.

For my suggestions for simple patio containers, read more.

14" Toulon Planter - $69.00	Blue Glazed Planter - $14.95
Octagon Urn Fountain - $259.00	Cloisters Tabletop Greenhouses - $228.00
"Tuscany" Pedestal - $120.00	Weston Planters, Square - $99.00
French Country Herb Trio (3-pc.) by Garden at Home - $19.95	"Acanthus" Urn & Pedestal - $125.00

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Would You Use Succulents as a Centerpiece?

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:15:49 -0700

One of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended used succulents as centerpieces at the reception. The unusual plants were nestled in small colored glass votives that were laden with pretty, tiny pebbles. Would you use succulents as centerpieces at a wedding or a party? Source

Garden Therapy: California Tropical

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:15:26 -0700

Lou Dixon, owner and designer of Bio-Friendly Gardens, recently gave me a tour of one of his client's home gardens. The owner, a chef and horticulturalist, loves tropical foliage. Her garden features a delightful mix of tropical plants, succulents, more traditional flowers, and lush trees. What's even more impressive is that her garden stands up to life with two large dogs. Take a tour of her lush space.

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Cool Idea: Drought-Resistant Landscaping With a Twist

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

If you live in a drought-prone area, it's smart to landscape with succulents and cacti, which require very little water. That's what this household did. By covering the soil with mulch, this garden further decreases its need for watering. But what's that plant in the left-hand corner of the picture?
Yes, there are some vegetables mixed into this succulent landscape. More specifically, it looks like some Summer squash, perhaps zucchini, is sharing the front yard with succulents and cacti. I love this mix of plants; it's something I wouldn't have thought of trying, and I think the plants look great together.

In the News: A Makeover For Phoenix's Botanical Garden

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:15:06 -0700

The Arizona Republic's article "Drama in the Desert" outlines the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix's structural transformation, which, for over 50 years, had been housed in an aluminum framework. Now, the gorgeous succulents and cacti are displayed under 28-foot-tall arched canopies.

"We wanted a space that would be interesting - a wow factor - to locals as well as visitors," said Elaine McGinn, the garden's director of planning and exhibits. To find out more about the $825,000, six-month reconstruction project, read the article here.

Crave Worthy: Jayson Home & Garden Echeveria Heart

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:31:52 -0800

It may be Love Shack Month, but I'd delight in gazing at this Jayson Home & Garden Echeveria Heart ($100) year round. Truth be told, if my valentine wanted to pick this sweet heart up for me this year, I would be happy to have it. Echeveria is a type of succulent which does well as a house plant. It's drought resistant and flourishes with regular deep watering, and will tolerate some shade as well as frost. Unfortunately, it's only available for delivery in Chicago. Unless I can track down a heart-shaped planter, I think I'll have to go without.

Etsy Finds: Add Some Greenery to Your Life

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:07 -0700

Are you looking for some easy-to-care-for greenery for your home? Then check out Etsy, where sellers can mail you succulents and air plants, or craft cool planters to display plants you already own. Check out some of my favorites.

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