26 Nov 2024

Succulent Stars: Sculpting the Garden with Shapes and Colours

Succulents are true masters of versatility, bringing striking textures, bold shapes and unexpected colours to any garden. These plants thrive with minimal care, making them ideal for gardeners looking to blend creativity with practicality.  Here are four of our top picks, chosen for their unique shapes and textures that add depth and character to any garden:

1. Sedum pachyphyllum (Jelly Bean Plant)

With its chubby, finger-like leaves that often blush red at the tips, this playful succulent is the embodiment of boldness. Its fleshy leaves add a pop of character to borders or rock gardens, where its compact, clumping habit makes it a perfect ground cover or filler plant.

  • Colour: Green with a hint of red on the tips in summer
  • Shape: Rounded, jelly-bean-like leaves
  • In the garden: Use it as edging for garden beds or in hanging baskets where its stems can trail attractively.

2. Sedum ‘Little Missy’

This delicate trailing succulent contrasts beautifully with its fine-textured, variegated leaves in soft shades of green and cream. Its dainty appearance softens bold designs, creating a harmonious balance in the garden.

  • Colour: Pale green with creamy white margins
  • Shape: Tiny, heart-shaped leaves
  • In the garden: Perfect for spilling over the edges of pots, covering bare soil between taller succulents, or adding a soft touch to a rock garden.

3. Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)

A true succulent classic, the Jade Plant’s glossy, coin-shaped leaves bring a sense of structure and elegance. It is a robust focal point that lends its architectural shape to any garden or patio display.

  • Colour: Glossy green with red edges in bright light
  • Shape: Broad, oval leaves
  • In the garden: Plant in ceramic pots as a statement piece or use as a low hedge in sunny borders.

4. Senecio cylindricus (Narrow-leaf Chalksticks)

This upright succulent steals the show with its pencil-like, silvery-blue leaves that add height and drama. Its unique colour contrasts beautifully with green or red-leaved companions.

  • Colour: Silvery blue
  • Shape: Cylindrical, upright leaves
  • In the garden: Use it as a vertical accent in a succulent bed or to create striking container combinations.

Mixing and Matching for Visual Interest

The key to creating a captivating succulent garden is to play with the shapes, sizes and colours of these plants. Consider these tips to design a stunning display:

  • Contrast Shapes: Pair the bold, chunky leaves of Sedum pachyphyllum or Crassula ovata with the fine texture of Sedum ‘Little Missy’ for a dynamic interplay.
  • Layer Heights: Place the tall, slender Senecio cylindricus as a backdrop to the shorter, spreading forms of Sedum pachyphyllum or Little Missy.
  • Highlight Colour: Use pots or garden beds with neutral tones to make the vibrant greens, silvers and reds of these plants pop.

Incorporating Succulents into the Garden

  • Rock Gardens: Use the upright shapes of Senecio cylindricus to mimic natural stone formations, while Sedum ‘Little Missy’ cascades delicately over rocks.
  • Container Displays: Combine all four succulents in a large shallow bowl for a textured, eye-catching patio centerpiece. Add gravel or decorative stones for extra flair.
  • Borders and Edging: Use Sedum pachyphyllum and Little Missy as ground covers to soften the edges of pathways, allowing their contrasting forms to guide the eye.
  • Living Walls: Incorporate these succulents into vertical gardens for a low-maintenance, high-impact feature.

Succulents are the ultimate gardening companions for those who love a touch of the unusual. With their diverse forms and hues, they bring endless opportunities to personalise your garden. Visit Blackwood’s to find these sculptural stars and start designing your masterpiece today!

Succulent Inpiration