Hey Foxy Friends!
I have a guest for you today.
Please give her a warm welcome.
Hello everyone! My name is Jane, and I’m happy to be guest posting for Shannon today while she is on vacation.
I bet she’s sitting around a pool right now, sipping a Mai Tai or perhaps she’s flying over a volcano. Those are all things I’d want to do if I went to Hawaii! I’m sure she’ll have plenty of pics and stories to share with us when she gets back.
My husband and I have a blog called Cottage at the Crossroads, and I’d like to invite you to stop by for a visit sometime.
But today I’m going to share with you how
I made a little succulent centerpiece.
I made a little succulent centerpiece.
I don’t know about you guys, but in January I have to have some live plants growing in my house. So I put together this succulent centerpiece that I can move around to wherever I want to use it in my home. And if you notice, I painted it
AQUA!
You know, Shannon’s favorite color (and mine, too!)
First, I will have to tell you that I don’t know a whole lot about succulents. I do have some growing that my sister-in-law gave me about 2 years ago. Here they are in a plant stand by my back door.
And here I have some growing in a pot on another plant stand on our deck. Our weather in South Carolina is usually mild during the winter, but if we have freezing temps, I do bring the succulents indoors.
To make the succulent centerpiece, I did rob some baby plants from some that I have growing, and my sister-in-law, who lives next door to me, gave me a bunch more. But I just happened to be in Lowe’s and found all of these on sale for 75% off! I guess it was my lucky day and Lowe’s knew I needed some succulents!
I knew that I wanted a shallow dish so I purchased a 12 inch terracotta saucer that you usually use under a pot. And I promptly painted it my favorite shade of aqua called “Aqua Glow” by Valspar.
And because I knew that I would be using the centerpiece on a wooden table, I purchased this 12 inch plastic saucer (which has little “feet” on the bottom) to protect the table from any moisture. The plastic saucer fits perfectly underneath the terracotta one.
Now, I do know that succulents like loose soil and there are additives that you can mix with regular potting soil, but I found this mixture designed especially for mammillaria cacti and other similar succulents so that is what I used. I’ve been planting cacti and succulents for a while now so I’m quite the expert!
Next I found a candle holder and added a little green moss down inside. You know, I really like to burn candles during those long and cold nights in January, don’t you?
After placing the candle holder in the middle of the saucer, I added a shallow layer of pebbles in the bottom of the saucer before adding the soil to increase the drainage. Succulents do not like wet feet! Then I just stuck in my succulents until it looked fairly full.
I think it’s really pretty, and I love the variety of colors and textures. By springtime, the succulents should have grown enough for me to transplant them outside.
And since I know that Shannon loves to combine the colors aqua and red, I placed the centerpiece on our table on the front porch. Yes, I can see a whole red and aqua tablescape planned around this centerpiece!
Because it’s so lightweight, I carried it around the house trying it out in several places.
It looked pretty no matter where I placed it. I’m totally in love with the succulents!
Right now, it’s on the front porch where it can get some bright light, but when it gets colder, I’ll bring it inside and use it on my coffee table. Such an easy, fun, and inexpensive project to keep the doldrums away during the dreary months ahead!
Shannon, thanks so much for inviting me to guest post on your blog today. And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to stop by the Cottage at the Crossroads and say hello!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m so thankful to Jane for filling in for me today and showing you how to make a succulent garden. Isn’t is cute?
My mother in law would love it.
Maybe I’ll need to follow this tutorial and make one as a gift for her since she is watching the house for us while we are off playing? Shh… don’t tell though 😉
In addition to thier blog, you can find Jane & Leo on:
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Just lovely — I will definitely be trying this idea!
Jane, I agree with Shirley~ the hurricane in the center is a wonderful addition and I love it painted aqua! Lucky you finding the sale at Lowe’s 🙂
The succulents look so pretty Jane…thanks for the great planting tips…Just love how you placed the hurricane in the center of the planter…great idea and so very pretty!!!
Oh my gosh this is great…I love succulents. You were able to find such a nice variety too. So nice of you to guest post while Shannon is in Hawaii!
Jane, it looks wonderful with the candle…so original! 😉
I have never tried succulents, but have all kinds of other plants…these are adorable! I may just have to try some out!
Oh that does look beautiful! I love the aqua and the candle in the center really makes it lovely! Nice project!
Jane, thanks for the tutorial. Aqua has been calling my name lately!
Happy New Year, Jane & Shannon!
Helen
What a cute idea. I love green this time of year, too- xo Diana
I love succulents and this little garden is so pretty Jane!
So pretty Jane.
Cheers, Gee
Jane, Congrats on your guest post, and your succulents are just adorable. I had a small fair garden this summer done with succulents in a galvanized wash tub. Love that you put the candle in the center. Brilliant!
Beautiful!