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Thank you for visiting my website! As a garden photojournalist, my job involves finding, photographing, and writing about exceptional gardens for various publications and websites. I love all types of plants, but about ten years ago I began to develop a passion for succulents.

Succulents are plants that store moisture in fleshy leaves and stems. This allows them to survive periods of drought (or when their owner forgets to water them)! Some common types include agaves, aloes, aeoniums, crassulas, euphorbias, echeverias, kalanchoes, sedums, and sempervivums.

The popularity of succulents is surging. A few reasons these plants are so cool they're hot:

-- Water shortages and rationing are impacting many regions. Succulents are low-water plants---they're a lush alternative to thirsty lawns and flowerbeds.

-- Because they are full of water, succulents are fire-resistant and fire-retardant. So the plants are an excellent landscape choice where wildfires are a concern.

-- Succulents are easy to cultivate and require minimal maintenance. Unless you want species that are rare (and expensive), you can likely get cuttings from friends and neighbors.....for free.

-- Succulents range in size from tiny-leaved ground covers to tall trees. Many have dramatic geometric shapes that add interest to gardens large and small. They also make great potted plants.

-- Their leaves and stems come in all colors, so succulents are intriguing year-round, not only when in bloom. And most produce vivid-hued flowers as well.
 

                             'Sticks on Fire', tuxedo agaves and blue senecio.
 

Are you concerned that where you live is too cold or wet to grow succulents? Too much rainfall is usually not a problem if you plant them in porous soil that allows water to drain away from their roots. Certain types---notably sedums and sempervivums---prefer colder climates and survive temperatures well below freezing. Moreover, anyone, anywhere, can grow tender succulents in containers, which can be overwintered indoors. How to do this, plus numerous ideas for potted gardens, are in my forthcoming book, Succulent Container Gardens (the sequel to Designing with Succulents).

                A container garden on a patio is unified by terracotta and blue-glazed pots. 

The above text is similar to how I begin my Presentations. For more information about succulent plants and garden design, visit my Garden Design and Books pages. For additional photos of succulents, individually and in arrangements, see Succulent Information and Photos.

Concerned about wildfire? Be sure to visit the Firewise Landscaping page.

If you'd like occasional updates on the world of designing with succulents, email me and I'll be happy to add you to the list. You also might be interested in my Blog and published articles. And please do connect with me at LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
 

Portrait of Debra (top left) is by Terry Rippee.

Copyright © Debra Lee Baldwin. All rights reserved. Web design by ALL.EA.
Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this site, in whole or in part, 
without prior written permission from Debra Lee Baldwin.