Tags
52 Week Photo Challenge, Aeonium arboreum 'zwartkop', collection of succulents, succulent with shells, Summer
Once the warmer weather arrives in about May, I make sure I move my collection of succulents outside. This is the official start of Summer in my garden. They sit against a south facing wall and with any luck get to soak up the sunshine and heat, hopefully.
Arranged on an upturned Apple crate I love to see them change colour and fatten in the climate which suits them best.
There is something about their shape and structure that appeals. I don’t like the architectural label, they are not man-made or designed.
The variety of colour and shape is striking.
These are my bedding plants which mark the arrival of Summer. Less demanding than annuals and to my eye more beautiful. Some of these have come from tiny cuttings taken on Summer holidays in the Medditeranean. Many happy memories are attached to these.
Summer is this weeks photo challenge hosted by Sandra at https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com
Take a look at her blog to see some of the other entries or better still have a go yourself. Post a photograph that depicts Summer to you and be sure to post a link back to Sandra’s blog.
Summer, long may it last.
digwithdorris.com 
I have only recently come to appreciate succulents, but the flowers that form on them are so extraordinary that I am now hooked. Mine managed the Winter under a pane of glass next to an East facing wall – I wonder if they will again.
I’m glad you are loving them. They may survive, they really hate the wet but a very cold frost will do them in. Just have to keep an eye on them and the weather!
I like the range of colours here, from the stony neutrals to the rich plums. Makes we want to try again with echeveria – maybe overwintering them in the house instead of the greenhouse this time.
I keep them in the house just because if it gets very cold they really don’t like it. They are not always very welcome indoors as there are quite a few of them these days
I’ve always admired these flowers though my years at a flower shop tells me that many don’t understand them. Your collection is impressive alright and well cared for it seems. Cheers to summer!
I will always join you in that toast!
I suspect they are becoming more fashionable?
I keep a few in my sunroom. Nothing matches their simple beauty.
Agreed. A sun room sounds a perfect spot for them
An interesting post and good pictures about such fascinating plants. xx
Thanks. Cannot eat them though so not for you?
You’re welcome. I’m really not much of a foodie and would happily grow lots more flowers and plants like these rather than vegetables if I had more space. xx
What happens if they flower Dorris, does the rosette then die – similar to sempervivum? I ask this question as one who has bought an exotic succulent each year, seduced by their beauty but never managed to keep it over winter.
Succulents are an acquired taste but once you fall for their charms you are hooked. I have an ever growing collection, which is silly really because they are not hardy.
Not silly at all. Completely and utterly understandable!
A bright colourful collection Dorris
What a lovely collection!