Those were the days, my friend.

As Spring is here I have gotten back to my semp garden restoration. Let's take a look at how the dying semps that I potted last Fall have managed.

Silver Song


Pink Pashka


Lilac Time


Serapis


Ayman Correvon


Goldmarie


Grunrand


Now... these are not exactly stupendous specimens. The point is that they are getting larger, healthier and more robust. This is reversing a years long trend in the other direction. I don't know how long it will last but my experience with potting semps suggests that it will be quite some time. I feel like I'm starting all over again which in a way I have. It's more fun watching things get bigger and better than watching them wasting away.
I have used many small nursery pots and that was a mistake. I'll eventually transition the small ones to larger sizes.

Here's what things are looking like in transition. A muddy mess of gravel, pots and transplanted, recovering semps.



When the repotting work is finished I'll get busy on restoring the gravel cover. I expect to drop about a third of my cultivars to reduce maintenance, emphasize individuals, and lend the appearance of a rock garden instead of a mass of sprawling semps.
I have also decided to discontinue my heuf-only bed and use that for displaying potted Agaves and Echeverias that require winter protection.
I expect by the end of this season I will be half way there, so long as I keep at it diligently. By the end of next season it will be what it will be whatever that be. It may or may not work out as I hope.

You could excuse me on this day to consider that my semp garden is in the midst of... a resurrection... of sorts.

Good to see evidence that you've walked away from the pickleball court long enough to work a little bit more of the "restoration/resurrection" project! One's gotta be happy about what the semps look like after all the work done building such a beautiful bed to showcase them. Hope to see them in person sometime soon!

I'm with Bev on seeing that awesome bed in person, when things dry out a bit. I really can't remember having this much rain in spring.
They are truly showing the love you put into their repotting, Tim.

Here's one bed that has been fully potted. Except a couple of Arachs that seem content enough living in the rock crevices and I shall let them.



Surprisingly... not half bad... to my eye. No weeds and all tidied up. Lots of new gravel needs to be applied but I have yet to visit the rock store. When the gravel gets done and the semps grow out a bit, will I be able to declare victory? Only time will tell.

I think a few plants outside around the pots would also look good?

Tim, I believe you will be able to declare victory. It looks wonderful.
And thank you for making my brain see how I can plant small bulbs inside the bed. Sinking pots into the bed.

I think doing sunken pots is also helpful if the bulb is very aggresive. You could use fine mesh to line the bottom of the pot so water can drain, while bulbs stay inside the confined area.

Good thought Alex.

The cold wet wet spring has turned to lovely warm summer-like evenings. I've finally resumed dinners on my back porch overlooking the beautiful, verdant Spring growth around the yard.
Tonight I found myself doing something that I haven't done for years. I had a powerful delicious, fruity cocktail with my dinner which left me a bit looped. After which I sat on the my lush May lawn and worked my way along the edge of my semp garden admiring the new growth and taking pictures. Things are definitely looking up and I think all things are possible. After so much decline it's so much fun to see things headed in the other direction. Yes.. it's all in pots now but it's still so nice to look at. I'm not nearly finished yet and I only now realize that there is no finish line. It's a never ending process.

The first thing to catch my eye was this colony of Arachs that manage to aerate their roots in rock crevices and don't necessarily need potting in organic soil mixes.



Here I can see various varieties able to rebound but I can also see damage from the European Crane Fly maggot which plagues me each year.


Here's 'From Ceuse' which I collected from Kevin's garden years ago. I like it to add a bright accent although I can't really see that it is at all different from 'Limelight'. But it is definitely looking lively.


I also love 'Thunder' to add a bright accent. She was nearly dead but is now forming a nice clump if I can keep the bugs off of her.


'Lilac Time' and 'Lion King'


I love seeing the sedums bloom with the Agave in the background.


Random group showing pot edges and sparse gravel. I have to revisit the gravel store and get busy on finishing the surfaces. But first things first.


A few pictures to remind me of semp buddies from the past.
Here is 'The Big Six-0' which was notable in that it seems to thrive where almost no others have. Definitely not a wimp... right, Kevin?



Not exactly a semp but this Echeveria Colorata I got from Connie (@pardalinum) in exchange for Sempervivum 'Purple Haze'. Both were gifts from Mountain Crest Gardens at a semp clinic from days gone by. I wonder if that 'Purple Haze' has done this well.


Finally... I remember both my first and latest visit to Lynn's garden. On those visits I came home with the following semps respectively. 'Purple Dazzler' and 'Rita Rose'.




I think the best of my best has come from such visits.

Hey Tim, glad to see Colorata doing so well! Does it grow outside all year around? The roller 'Connie' that you gifted me is doing well in a shallow but large diameter container with some other companion plants. I'm not sure I still have Purple Haze. Will look... I still need to get out there and do major cleaning up and weeding. And an inventory of course.

Good morning Tim. It does my heart good to see your beautiful riverbed of semps coming back to life. The photos are wonderful.
I sure miss our fun times out in the garden with an amazing group of semp/plant lovers. What fun we had.
You grow 'Purple Dazzler' and 'Rita's Rose' beautifully. I love those two.

Well, Lynn... I wouldn't say I've grown 'Rita Rose'... I just transplanted it from your garden. I will say that it is continuing to grow and is starting to throw out stolons so at least I didn't kill it. And I'll also take some credit for having a thriving 'Purple Dazzler' after all these years.
Connie, that Echeveria was in a small (2' x 5') greenhouse over the winter and came through completely unblemished. I suspect any kind of a plastic sheet or bubble would suffice.
I'm liking it so much I'm starting two more, E. Agavoides 'Lipstick' and E. Imbricata 'Blue Rose'. They really do have some superior qualities (IMO) over semps but hardiness is not among them. I really should get busy on having a larger greenhouse to accommodate my Easter Lisly Cactus, my Agaves, and now my Echeverias.

Tim, that is awesome that your 'Rita's Rose' doesn't seem to show any signs of recent transplanting. I really love the semp. It's on my favorites list.
Ah ha, you are branching out into no hardy succulents. I love your Agaves and that Echeveria is beautiful.

So far the new potting soil mixture is a big hit. Pretty obvious isn't it? Good soil + sun + water = happy semps.
Things are shaping up nicely. Everybody seems happy again. It makes me wonder if I should give 'Lemon Sky' another try.

'Bloody Mary'


'Chocolate Pepper' is a small brown that was nearly gone. Now coming back.


'Pacific Jordan'


'Pink Pearl'


'Hide's Roosje'


'From Ceuse'


'Fernzunder'


'Fame'


'Kismet'


'Patent Leather Shoes'


I have about seven more potted semps to put in the ground. Some of those may have to wait til Fall. But once I fix up the grave a bit and have a full season of growth I think I may be able to present some quite decent "landscape" phots.

Your redo is certainly working Time. They are looking great. I really look forward to seeing the new landscape photos.

and looking forward to pics too!

All continues to go well. I have in fact resumed a habit from years past. I now regularly wander my way thru my semp garden as it seems to offer new and interesting views and colors on a daily basis. I gave up this habit a couple years ago when all was in decline. Now, I can see things getting better and more interesting every day. It is much more motivating than watching them wither away.

Here's the sun shining thru after a heavy downpour complete with thunder and hail.
Can you spot the kitty?


Here's a view that is changed 100% since first established.


'Silver Song'


'Hualalai'


'Lilac Time'


'Tiefgang'


'Eyjafjalla'


'Pacific Jordan' - I knew these semps would escape their pots, but I didn't thing it would happen so soon.


'Ohio Burgundy'

I spy the kitty in the first photo. What a wonderful garden buddy he is. What is the name of this one Tim?
It is a thing of beauty once again. You have a real talent Tim. 'Silver Song' and 'Lilac Time' have timeless beauty, they are lovely. All are very nice indeed.

I love the color on Ohio Burgundy!