Creating a Mini Succulent Planter Oasis
O·a·sis | /ōˈāsis/ | Noun
With our moving truck still missing (I haven't heard from them once since they hauled my stuff away 3 weeks ago) it has become increasingly challenging to remain calm and keep focused on the positive. And it probably goes without saying, but finding entertainment inside an empty house is getting a little hard to come by as well. Fortunately the weather has been gorgeous here...perfect gardening weather!
So while my gardening skills are pretty much maxed-out with silk plants and pre-cut blooms from the grocery store, I decided to give succulents (real plants!) a try. Rumor has it they are pretty difficult to do away with. After watching a handful of YouTube videos on how to plant succulents and feeling only marginally more prepared, my daughter and I trekked off to the local hardware / nursery store and dove right in.
Time to create a mini oasis! Back home I poured my special cactus mix soil (supposedly good for succulents...but we'll see) into the large pot I'd picked out and started arranging the plants in the soil. I didn't really have a rhyme or reason for where each plant ended up...I just wanted there to be nice contrast and a bit of a wild feel about the finished look.
The thing is, that even though I have been a horrid gardener up to this point in my life, I have always had a deep affinity for succulents. They will forever remind me of childhood visits with my grandparents here in California. As a kid who lived neck-deep in snow most of the year in Minnesota and Montana, stepping off the airplane and into a place warm with sun and brimming with plants and flowers was something more than just a little bit magical to me.
So now that I have my very own little spot of planted magic, I'm going to be keeping a watchful eye on it...and will hopefully have nothing but good news to report about it's progress as the year goes on. Maybe one day soon I'll even have a chair (what a novel idea) to prop beside it where I can watch the sun set in our neighborhood. How beautiful would that be?!
By the way, I'm by no means a plant expert. But after sharing a photo of my little succulent plantings over on Instagram a request for plant identification came in. So since most of the pots that my plants came in were not labeled, I made a trip back to the store and wrote down all the names that I could find to share with you here today (hence all the succulent identification above). If you notice that I got anything wrong, please feel free to send the correct details my way! I hope they will come in handy for you if you decide to create your own little succulent oasis someday soon. xo Ez
P.S. For those of you wondering...it turns out that we legally have to give the moving company 21 "business days" (not 21 actual days) to return our things to us. This is why you haven't yet seen me calling these horrid people out all over social media. When the time comes I promise to tell you know exactly who they are so that you can keep yourself and everyone you care about as far away from them as humanly possible!
32 Lovely Comments | Email Article | found in D.I.Y. + Projects, Musings Print Article | Share This | 
| by Ez Thursday, March 21, 2013 
Reader Comments (32)
WOW! Such a beautiful little garden :) And the photos are amazing! :)
I'm loving succulents right now (but then again, who isn't?)! I've been holding off on piling up on them yet though because I'm waiting to get a discount first. But I have a few places in mind for them and a few ideas for arrangements. I love that you I.D.'ed all the photos :)
Oh, and WTF with the moving company? They just, like, ran off with your stuff? What kind of stuff? What's going on???
And where did the 21 days come from? The company, or a lawyer?
Best of luck with that, truly!!
♥ Ashley
PINK LOVES PURPLE
Hi!
Lovely!!! All of them. The last one seems like a Kalanchoe, Tormentosa maybe? :)
I love this post!!! I've been thinking of getting a little succulent for my city apartment, and seeing all of your beauties is really inspiring :)
I've been on pins and needles for you and your daughter, hoping against hope that your belongings are just taking a road-trip of their own! Sending you so many good vibes and happy thoughts. I cannot even imagine what you are going through.... (I feel really silly writing this, since we've never met, but I love reading your blog (it's one of my favorites!) and I figure you can't ever have too many happy thoughts going your way....)
EZ that's an awesome little succulent container garden! I am sitting here w/ my ire raised that someone would do this to you and your daughter after the stress of moving. I hope the time does not come for you to "out" them online. Instead, I hope you get your belongings and can get on with your new life. Sending positive thoughts your way.
EZ, lovely garden. So serene and beautiful. I am completely obsessed with succulents. The echeveria elegans are my fav. so easy to grow. Can't wait for Summer!
You are handling this situation much more gracefully than I probably would. It is really unbelieveable! My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I've been praying that they show up quickly with each and every one of your belongings.
The succulent garden is so beautiful. I love that you are able to still looking for beauty even in the midst of such a mess.
And on another note, when I saw the class you're taking I eagerly joined too. I haven't put my idea on yet though. Thanks for sharing this fun opportunity. I've been wanting to grow my new digital illustration skills.
Beautiful! You would never know this was your first time making a pot of succulents. Are you keeping them outside? or Inside?
oh ez, what a lovely idea! i'm moving, too, and the thought of losing my beloved succulent (my longest-lived plant!) is just devastating...so much so, i might not be able to part with him (yep, it's a him). maybe i'll make him a home with some friends? :)
also, i am crossing all possible-to-cross body parts for you that the truck comes through, unscathed, with your wonderful belongings. what a horrible ordeal to have to go through!! <3
I can't believe you don't have your belongings yet! That is just horrid. I think the mystery plant may be echeveria harmsii
This is beautiful! I'm such a huge succulent fan because they are so easy to care for! I went to college for horticulture so if you ever need help with plant ID, i'm here! :)
OH YAY!!! you posted it... and you even took a trip back to the store. It turned out amazing. I would never have guessed you were a novice. the arrangement is beautiful-- the textures, colours, EVERYTHING!
Can't wait to try it... I killed a jade plant once, so hopefully this one ends with a better result.
Thanks again :)
Love this planter and what it represents. I see it as creativity coming into existence as a pleasant means to allow for your moving situation to be as it is (for the moment). Incredible courage and patience!
Keep watch on the Hen and Chicks and the Sedum Hispanicum. They are quick ground cover and may try to choke out your other plants. Good news is they tolerate dividing and repotting quite well, so you will have many new starts for more pots. Lovely, by the way.
It turned out really gorgeous, Ez. Great combination of colors and textures. Thank you for labeling the plants as well. How big is the planter? It seems rather large.
Re. moving truck: it's unspeakable that it hasn't showed up yet! I can't believe they even call themselves moving company. Hopefully it arrives any day now. Hang in there!
Oh no, I've been waiting to hear good news about the moving truck! I hope you get your belongings back and don't need to stress anymore. It's amazing how you can spread such beauty and serenity even in the most stressful situation!
How gorgeous! Love how it turned out. I've been looking a lot into succulents too as my new appartment doese have a balcony for outdoor plants. Love that you can keep them inside and not worry too much about them! You made such a beautiful selection, thanks for sharing!
x
Ps. sending lots of positive vibes your way, I hope your truck comes soon, can't believe that it has still not arrived how horrible and unprofessional!!!
First off, I love succulents and like you, about the only thing I can keep alive. I like to give their little leaves a friendly squeeze too, they're so squidgy :) Regards your moving situation, this sounds like a living hell and I really hope they turn up soon. Thoughts are with you xx
Nice poat ! i love it thanks for sharing
Maybe you can have a fundraiser on here/your print shop... My heart goes out to you and yours. I am glad you have the sunshine though, you will get through this! Maybe it's good to clear everything out of your life?
The mystery plant is Echeveria pulv-Oliver.
Your arrangement is stunning! I'll have to read up on some of these varieties and see how they'd do in the SW Ohio climate!
I have been thinking of you & your daughter and hoping the moving truck shows up soon. I will keep sending good vibes.
Have a lovely weekend!
Oh my word, I'd be so over the top angry if that happened to me moving. I don't have to worry because hubs, as much as he hates snow (which we still have, BTW) we won't move except to a nursing home, drooling on our bibs (a quote) or in pine boxes. No moving trucks involved. We plan to do succulent garden for outdoors in summer, if it comes, and move indoors for the rest of the year. Yours is going on Evernote so it's in my iPhone when we go shopping. Great post, thanks.
Janet
They are absolutely beautiful succulents! I too like planting succulents!
Love this! So pretty!
Wow! I'm loving all of them!