HARDY SUCCULENTS

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Aug 11

Hardy Succulents

Winter hardy indeed ! These succulents evolved in places on the planet in a winter that freezes. They most certainly can handle the cold !

Not unlike their tender cousins – they also tend to be small in nature. Preferring full blasting sun all day they are perfect for a hot sunny corner in a garden or rooftop. Being compact, they also do not need a lot of soil or large planters.

Watering can be tricky and we recommend not placing them under auto irrigation to service their water needs. These must be watered by hand as needed – but don’t worry - it may still be only once a week in summer! As long as you let the soil dry out between watering it’s as easy as pie !

Hardy succulents need fertilizer infrequently – usually fall and spring. Most get no bugs or disease - WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE !

Overall there are not as many to choose from as the indoor ones – but those available are truly special. Sempervivum, Hardy Sedum and Hardy Opuntia are three of the most cold hardy genus that can survive freezing winter up to -30F. Some other succulents, like Agave or Rosularia also have great cold tolerance – but it will depend on the species.

Here is my list:

Sempervivum

Called hens and chicks, these are cold hardy to - 30 degrees Fahrenheit (Hardiness Zone 4). The lower temperature in the winter changes their color – they become darker or deeper red. Their rosettes also close up tighter. Both these are adaptations to cold weather.

Sempervivum red lion

Sempervivum calcareum (houseleek)

Sempervivum arachnoideum (cobweb succulent)

Sedum

Also known as stonecrop – this is another winter hardy genus. Depending on the species some respond to winter by dropping their leaves – but will come back in spring. Other sedums turn brilliant color when temperature drops and still look amazing after the snow.

Sedum dasphyllum major (Corsican stonecrop)

Sedum golden moss

Sedum dragon’s blood

Sedum Cape Blanco

Sedum rupestre (Angelina)

Opuntia

Known as the Prickly Pear Cactus – this genus is usually only grown for its sweet fruit. Some like Eastern prickly-pear cactus can easily withstand temperature as cold as -22F. During winter its stems turn brown or shrivel up ! But just a few weeks of warm weather and the cactus will bounce back.

Opuntia humifusa (Eastern prickly pear)

Oscularia

This succulent is native to South Africa with plump, green leaves and purple daisy-like flower in the summer. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Requiring well-drained soil it only needs moderate watering.

Oscularia deltoids (ice plant)

AgavE

This tough plant comes from the dry Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca. It can reach 2 feet tall at maturity and has grayish-green and cream-colored thick leaves. During winter it goes into dormancy but stays looking relatively the same !

Agave potatorum (butterfly)

Our Garden Care Team can get you the most hardy succulent for your sunny garden !

Call us - let's talk choices !

PLANT SPECIALISTSGREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

HARDY SUCCULENTS