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Cacti & Succulents

Fairy garden help

7 years ago

I was given a beautiful fairy garden. It has a variety of succulents in it, sedum and hens and chicks among other things. I have no idea about varieties. I will love it all summer, but I really want it to survive over the winter. How do I make that happen? I live in MN zn 3/4. I have attempted to get hens and chicks to survive in the past to no avail. I do have Autumn Joy that grows like crazy and another ground cover, sedum that is very happy. Why can't I get Hens and Chicks to live and how do I save the rest of these??

Featured Answer

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

7 years ago

If all the plants in the container are hardy, put the planter in the garage and just throw some snow on it from time to time. Light is optional outdoors in winter as mine are usually buried under snow. As for the hosta, when you do post on the Hosta Forum they'll need individual pix.

tj

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Comments (10)

Nicholas C.
7 years ago
Your only option may be to bring them in over winter and give them a nice bright grow light if you can. Some Sempervivums (hens and chicks) should be able to survive there, but the few Echeveria in that mix certainly wouldn't.

Out of curiosity, were your hens and chicks in the ground or in pots?
arcy_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
I have tried them in pots and in the ground. The shop keeper who made the container up, in the picture above has her stock all in the ground, so I know these specimens survive in my area..just not at MY house. :(
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arcy_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
BTW I am a shade/hosta gardener for the most part..anyone able to identify any of my new beauties so I can do some research?

Thank you!!
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
I see mostly semps and some sedums that are hardy, just 3 or 4 in the center are likely not. Photo is too small to ID them.

In general, they all have very similar needs, good drainage and lots of light.
arcy_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
I was told they came out of a rock garden so they must all be hardy..could someone be specific about how to prep a bed for them? The dryest spot I have is under an eve and it gets afternoon sun..but would that be enough light?
Sue Brunette (formerly known as hockeychik)
7 years ago
Arcy I wonder if your issues have to do with the soil? I believe succulents prefer a different mix. Had you amended the soil where you tried to overwinter? I am new to succulents also but I know there is a potting mix for cacti and succulents.
TaraMaiden
7 years ago
May I respectfully suggest you post your Hosta query in the Hosta forum....? I promise, you'll get good returns there... :o)
arcy_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Many survived!! I have the original tub in the house in a window and they are still living too! Now to warm up so I can acclimate them to the outside!!

I know all my hostas..I was wanting ID on the succulents...I have posted over on Hosta form for YEARS.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
If your Sempervivums didn't survive previously, I would suspect drainage. Even in your zone that is usually listed as still suitable to grow many semps (and your shopkeeper grows them too), they should survive with great drainage. If you are thinking about planting them in the bed with sedums above, making some mounds of lots of grit mixed with some soil would be probably helpful. How many hrs of sunlight they would get in other location you mentioned?

There are just few non-hardy succulents in your 'fairy garden' but you didn't post close ups that would help to ID them.

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