Designing with Succulents

Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design. From the undulating lines of Agave americana 'Marginata' to the frilly-leaved rosettes of Echeveria hybrids, succulents come in sculptural shapes, intriguing textures, and sizzling colors. Better still, these elegant plants--which survive drought by storing water in their leaves, stems, or roots--require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round.Featuring the work of more than 50 professional garden designers and creative homeowners in dozens of private and public succulent gardens and containers, this complete design compendium is as practical as it is inspirational. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, it gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. A chapter on growing succulents in cold climates identifies those that thrive in zones 8 and below. The comprehensive plant Palette is an especially helpful resource, encompassing tall, treelike, and immense succulents and companion annuals, bulbs, ground covers, perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses, and vines. The succulent gardener's canvas holds rich possibilities; here beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.

Succulent plants offer dazzling possibilities for garden design and require only minimal maintenance to remain lush and alluring year round. Featuring the work of more than 50 professional garden designers and creative homeowners, this complete design compendium is as practical as it is inspirational. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 photographs, it gives design and cultivation basics for paths, borders, slopes, and containers; hundreds of succulent plant recommendations; and descriptions of 90 easy-care, drought-tolerant companion plants. Beginners and experienced designers, landscapers, and collectors alike will find what they need to visualize, create, and nurture the three-dimensional work of art that is the succulent garden.

Debra Lee Baldwin is a writer, editor, artist, and photographer based in southern California. Her articles have appeared in Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens, and elsewhere. She has won awards from the Garden Writers Association of America, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the San Diego Press Club. She lives in Escondido, California.