I love my coral bells this time of year. Thanks for suggesting them originally, Charlotte! Dutch Master tulips to fool the deer? Good to know that.
In My Garden Blog:
Mid-Atlantic
November 19, 2009
By
Charlotte Kidd,
Wyndmoor, PA
These drought-tolerant succulents and coral bells proved to be excellent seasonal container plants, looking good into November.
Thumbs Up for Enduring Succulents
We arrived to put the courtyard garden to bed for winter -- remove dead annuals, rake and bag leaves, flame-weed between bricks, sweep, cut back perennials. Surprised, we momentarily put down our tools and admired the audacious sedums and coral bells in the decorative containers. The billow of plump, string bean-like, green-blue leaves on a Senecio 'Kilimanjaro' nearly filled the stoneware and concrete pots. A single, succulent stem of red flowers arched over echeveria rosettes. The two-year-old, burgundy-silver coral bells (heuchera) were double their spring size.
Most container plantings here look dreary by mid-November. The colorful flowering annuals have suffered from drying out in the summer heat. Though they recover half-heartedly after substantial watering, they're increasingly stressed. To conserve water AND create beautiful, low-maintenance containers, in May I shopped for showy succulents.
Fortunately this week, the summer's experiment with succulents and other low water-demand plants shows success.
The summer stars are textural and colorful echeverias, with fascinating foliage flared in picturesque rosettes; Senecio 'Kilimanjaro'; Salvia argentea; eucalyptus; and large, yellow-flowering portulaca. Echeveria 'Black Prince' has an artichoke-like form of smooth, waxy, maroon leaves, green at the base. Echeveria 'Metallica' resembles a fully open artichoke with petal-shaped, blue-green leaves edged in pink.
Echeverias are Latin American natives. Most don't tolerate frost or cold weather but do thrive in high temperatures and well-drained soil.
Echeverias resemble but are not hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum spp). Both are members of the Crassulaceae family. However, sempervivums are hardy alpine succulents from Europe. They survive frost; most will make it through winter's freezing temperatures and snow. We enjoy growing them in rock gardens, stone walls, planters, troughs, sidewalk cracks. They're the preferred plants for rooftop gardens.
Raised Bed for Spring Bulbs
One autumn project is to create an array of spring bulbs to enjoy from a kitchen window. The location: a bramble and weed patch beyond a substantial wave of country lawn. As if digging out tenacious vine roots, tree seedlings, and pesky weeds weren't enough, 2 inches below the surface is an impenetrable layer of gravel and stone that bramble and grape ivy roots have gripped ever so tightly for decades.
I am not interested in learning how to excavate with a jackhammer. The idea of building a raised bed -- about 8 inches deep, 10 feet long, and 4 feet wide -- popped quickly to mind though. To the good, I already had brick edging.
The best aspect of this approach is NOT digging in the bulbs. For a natural look, we tossed 100 deer-resistant, 'Dutch Master' daffodil bulbs around the bed edge to create an 18-inch tall golden ribbon from March into May. We filled the middle with 100 mixed daffodils. Then we adjusted each bulb with roots down and twisted gently to anchor it upright in the two inches of native soil.
Next we topped the bulbs with 6 inches of equal parts humus and topsoil plus chopped leaves for aeration. We sprinkled on Bulb Booster. All must have pleased Mother Nature because a drizzle began as we drove away. Rain is just what bulbs need to hydrate and establish live roots before winter's freeze.
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Priscilla Estes | November 19, 2009 | 11:36PM
Ann | November 20, 2009 | 4:56PM
I live about 15 miles north of Philly, and when I bought my house, I found I owned 15 ft beyond my fence. The fence was on the edge of an asphalt parking lot. I couldn't keep cars off, so hauled in 14 railroad ties and filled it in with about 20yds each of topsoil and composted horse manure. About 10 yrs of 'growing'... weeds and brambles have come up there, too, but I have still tried to tame the whole area with legit plantings. Roots grow right into the asphalt. There's a pine about 10 ft tall and an elm tree of about 18 ft, and a dozen forsythias that I try to hold down to about 7-8 ft. I did not consider bulbs, and the varmints weren't as much a reason as the 4" of soil.... Maybe I will transplant daffodils I have elsewhere.....
gail zehner | November 21, 2009 | 9:38AM
Can you please tell me the common name for the Senecio Kilimanjaro you have pictured above. I have been trying to find this plant since I have been trying to find this plant after seeing it in a garden. thanks gail
Charlotte Kidd | November 27, 2009 | 11:05PM
Hi Gail, I have seen Senecio 'Kilimanjaro' referred to as giant groundsel. Common names aren't always used accurately though. It's best to use the botanical name for plants, especially specialty plants, when searching to buy. That actually eliminates confusion. Thoughts about where to find it. Is there a Succulent/Alpine Plants/Cactus or Rock Garden Society in your area? Those members tend to be collectors and might well know sources for, if they don't have, this fascinating succulent. I bought them at a good garden nursery that carries unusual plants. I checked the wholesale website (Beds and Borders)I thought was the original source but didn't see this Senecio listed. If you patronize a garden center or nursery, I suggest you talk to the owner or plant buyer. Tell them what you want. Ask them to track it down for you. If you chat with them now (and remind them after the holidays), they can keep an eye out when ordering this winter. The website below has information including a note about a couple people selling this Senecio. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/97632/ Anyone else have a suggestion? Charlotte
Charlotte Kidd | November 27, 2009 | 11:30PM
Hi Priscilla. All daffodils (Narcissus) are poisonous. Leaves, stems and bulbs contain toxic alkaloids that can cause sickness, even death, if ingested. The bulbs are said to be bitter. Must say I don't know how the deer know that - unless they are put off by the taste as a self-protective reaction. Alliums, aka ornamental onion, are also deer-resistant. I've seen lists including other spring bulbs but can't attest to their accuracy. This doesn't mean squirrels won't dig up daffies along with any other bulbs you've planted. Sometimes I sprinkle a small amount of dried blood over soil disturbed from planting bulbs. That will keep critters away for a little while until the soil settles or leaves cover the area. Charlotte
Charlotte Kidd | November 27, 2009 | 11:42PM
Hi Ann, I'm thinking that ornamental grasses, especially short native grasses, might do well in your unusual and shallow bed. Goldenrod seems to adjust to poor growing conditions. Self-seeding Verbena bonairiensis manages to grow and bloom in sidewalk and driveway cracks. Native coral bells (Heuchera americana) throw seed that sprouts in gravel, though the offspring can vary in leaf color and shape. I'm wondering if you sow a mix of "meadow" seed there come spring, which annuals and perennials would take. Feel free to share which ornamentals tolerate those difficult conditions. Thanks for your comments. Charlotte
