A Short Walk in the Hood

Being a fan I tend to notice succulents wherever I go. My neighborhood is a goldmine, it turns out. After noticing them in my neighbors' gardens in surprising combinations I decided to document my discoveries in a two-block area around my house.

 Some well preserved bungalows with cottage style gardens are right across the street. Nestled in the plant mix are succulents. That was surprising to me because I thought this type of garden needed lots of water. Can succulents do well with regular water? Some can as long as the soil drains well.

Common senecio bluefingers add contrast & grow well near the curb where they get morning sun.

A few doors down the street is a cute bungalow with traditional white picket fence and boxwood hedge. Who would have thought a row of aeoniums & euphorbias (sticks on fire, my fav) would show up between the two?

A block away are some professionally landscaped areas in front of multi-family buildings. This combination is a strikingly beautiful example how succulent plants can be used. Among the plants metal (or stone) sculptures add an architectural element to the landscape design.

Another view with fan palm leaves.

A few doors down the street is an example of  really creative landscape design. The grounds are very formal with waterfall, bronze sculpture, classical urns etc. Succulents show up everywhere and seem to blend right in. Above are small Norfolk Island pines, euphorbias and agaves.

Bluegreen agaves, red begonias, chartruse pittosporum & white boulders set off the formal plantings behind.

Just inside the main entrance are a pair of stately urns holding some rather humble succulents. These urns receive only early morning sun. Adaptable plants they are, this may be just enough.

To soften a blank wall near the parking area a group of potted succulents.

Hidden from the street is a raised sun deck with succulents draping the rail. Behind the deck is what looks like a forest of majestic Norfold Island Pines. When I think of the traditional use of succulents in low-water desert like settings and then see combinations like this, I'm amazed, delighted.

Green euphorbia peaking through branches of Norfolk pine.

Up the street from my house is a rock wall where plants have been left alone to combine as they will. Behind them an old jade tree adding another layer of color.

Across the street from the wall is this delightful color combo. Blue green agave, blue flowering statice, purple fountain grass with yellow blooms of an artemisia. All are drought tolerant sun lovers.

On Linden is this great succulent grass combo. Red plant is kalanchoe luciae (paddle or pancake plant.) Nice how the plants pick up the stone and brick colors of the hardscape.

A few doors up the hill from the grass combo is this magical streetside garden with magenta blooming calandrinia (succulent that does best with regular water), kangaroo paws in the background, a pittosporum bush with fruit tree behind & other color plants to add interest.

Further along this curbside garden is this little aeonium rosette cluster.

I hiked over one more block and discovered this succulent (elephant bush) blending with ivy and nandinas so effectivley that it almost disappears.

A few doors down this street is a great example of lawnless low-water landscape. I love the kalanchoe beharensis growing against the house. They're so scuptural. The bluegreen groundcover's name escapes me but I recognize the clumps of blue fescue grass. It looks like a waterless garden but I see sprinkler heads popping up. Everything here does better with a little water on a regular basis.

In an unlikely setting next to a curb a well-loved cactus with iron work & yellow flowers.

Here's another unusual combination. This garden is totally tropical. Look how well the aeoniums in pots blend in with the birds and bananas. Nice gate color! I couldn't resist imagining some "sticks on fire" euphorbias behind the rosettes in those pots though.

Just past the gate is this railing shot with u guessed it, more succulents. I started off this slow photo walk with one idea of how to use succulents in a garden and came home with a much broader concept, thanks to my neighbors and those really great pro landscapers. Hope you enjoyed the tour. And thanks for hanging in there.