First Garden Attempt

12 years ago

After a recent move to our first non-condo (in SW FL), I decided to do some gardening and landscaping. Despite the 90+ degree temps and humidity, I have been enjoying myself thoroughly.

The previous owner had planted some random (but nice) things in random spots, but most of the planting areas were fairly vacant and covered in pine needle mulch. After getting a bit overwhelmed with the large areas of possibility, I decided to focus on a much smaller spot near our front porch since it is the highest traffic area in and out of our home.

I had already bought a few random likes that I read about and liked, sedums, sticks on fire, and some random succulents I was able to find in SW FL (the selection around here is not exactly huge).

So here it is:

Step One: Rolling the huge and heavy coral rocks that were scattered around the property into the garden and building up the berm. I tilled the existing sandy soil with pine needles and added a 50/50 mix of Black Cow Soil and Perlite...

Step Two:

After purchasing gravel for the top dressing (the gravel matches existing gravel on the property), I laid down a one inch thick top dressing:

Step Three: Roughly arranging the plants into their final placing and seeking out my better half's opinion on the placement. During this time we had a huge storm with torrential rains, which was likely good for settling all the soil mixtures:

{{gwi:587491}}

End Result:

After 'finishing' the initial phase of the garden, I continued researching and decided that my soil may not be quite light enough for some succulents, so I pulled them out to dry and will be replanting them in the very near future. This is why in these pictures below they are no longer there. I also decided that the top of the berm needed a focal point, so I transplanted an offshoot of an variegated dwarf agave I had planted somewhere else.

I decided to expand it already, so I moved the jade tree to its new home and added two Sticks on Fire. This will be filled in over the next couple of weeks, as time, weather and money allows:

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Comments (9)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
12 years ago
Nice job! I don't know how they do in FL, but here Sticks-On-Fire grows fast and big. Just a caveat.

I think you need Agave attenuata in there somewhere. They go so beautifully with Palms.
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hanzrobo
12 years ago
Beautiful arrangement. You have a great eye.
You might want to consider relocating that ice plant to a place where it can spread freely, unless you plan on trimming it back regularly.
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ChemGardner
Original Author
12 years ago
Hoovb: I am hoping they grow just as fast here! I had the green-only pencil cactus and was thrilled (and shocked) to see that home depot received about 40 plants and they were only $7! I have put in 3 already and will be buying two more for container planting.

I will have to keep my eye out for those agaves, they are very cool looking.

Hanzrobo: Thank you for the kind words. The Debra lee Baldwin books have been a great help in all of this. I am interested to see how this ice plant does here, and I am prepared to move it if it goes too crazy. I am hoping it cascades down over the rock, but yes, I have heard they can really take off quickly.
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amanzed
12 years ago
I love hard work.

I could watch you doing it all day.

;-)
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meyermike_1micha
12 years ago
That is so beautiful and something I would of done. I can be fun living in Florida.
Thank you for sharing and what a superb job!

I love the sticks on fire.

I can see a nice aloe, variegate sitting in your yard too:-)

Mike
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ChemGardner
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you, Mike.

Hmm, aloe? If you mean middle-left in the third picture, that is a Tillandsia that fell from a tree on my property. Or maybe the top left of the 7th picture? That is another baby agave desmettiana variegata.
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ChemGardner
Original Author
12 years ago
Hoovb- I spotted an Agave Attenuata, the Reah's (sp.) Gold variation that I can get my hands on for about $30 with shipping. It is a 9"(in diameter) specimen. Sound like a good deal? It looks very beautiful, I would just have to be careful where I place it so it gets some mid-day sun.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
12 years ago
Could not tell you if that is a good deal, Chem. Can tell you the non-plain-green ones don't like too much sun. Here even the plain ones prefer part shade--they can sunburn in full. Also in my opinion the most beautiful is A. attenuata 'Variegata'. The gold variegates can get greened out.

You know those Sticks-On-Fire root easily. Leaves more $$ for different plants. Cut off a piece, left the cut dry out and stick it in the ground. However be very careful to avoid all contact with the sap because it is an irritant. Gloves, long sleeves, and goggles a must. Seems silly until the stuff burns you or gets in your eye and makes you go to the emergency room.

Here is a link that might be useful: The attenuata to get
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laura1
12 years ago
Looks like you are having fun and doing a beautiful job.
I'm in Tampa and still scared to do a succulent garden in the ground. Our summer rains kill many succulents... and for many it doesn't seem to bother. Most of mine are in contains so that I can add a lot of stuff to help w/ drainage. Actually it looks like you are safe with most of the plants...the ones I know about.
All very pretty and the best of luck.
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First Garden Attempt

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First Garden Attempt

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