Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Problem with Collections ---

is that they grow, and grow and grow... Well at least in my case. I began collecting succulents a few years ago when I got the bug to make some cement troughs.  It was so much fun I made several, then a few more.  Then, of course, a gardener needs to fill them up. Which I did, then as soon as they were all full I found a few more cool succulents I couldn't live without. And so it goes.  The real problem arises because I now have more succulents than I have winter space to house them.  I won't be able to have any greenhouse space this winter as the cost of heating oil is through the roof so I have to decide what plants in my collection have to go...  but for the rest of the summer I'll enjoy them and put off making those decisions until September.

I didn't know these ruffled echeverias got so huge. Love this plant!


I've had the jade plant for thirty years now so that one will be staying

Absolutely love this Rhipsalis

Yes, I know there are a few begonias in this vignette but they really do well there so that's where they live for the summer.

My friend Monique bought this delightful terracotta cat for me a few years back and I just love him



My personal favorite. I redid this arrangement over the winter and am very happy with it this summer


Posted by at

20 comments:

  1. Mark and GazJune 17, 2014 at 6:42 AM

    I love your planters, troughs, and arrangement Deanne, as well as your collection on the whole. The advantage of collecting is that sometimes you don't have to think too much, with decisions relying simply whether you have the plant already or not, and if not then acquire! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJune 17, 2014 at 9:13 AM

      LOL too true! And even sometime when you already have a plant you see a better specimen and you just have to pick it up.

      Delete
  2. khakiJune 17, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    Love your arrangements! The last one (two photos) is stunning. Great collections!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AlisonJune 17, 2014 at 7:59 AM

    Love your cement troughs, and your succulent collection is fab too. Love the ruffles on that Echevaria.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJune 17, 2014 at 9:16 AM

      thanks Allison, I love the ruffles on that Echeveria too. It was only a four inch plant when I bought it and it's over a foot in diameter now

      Delete
  4. sharonJune 17, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    geezzzzzz you make me soooooojealous....

    ReplyDelete
  5. sharonJune 17, 2014 at 8:16 AM

    man I wish I had a star of some of these succulents!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kris PetersonJune 17, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    You have a wonderful collection, Deanne. I especially like the troughs in the last photos. I'm sure it'll be difficult to let some of them go. Perhaps you can pass them along to friends as gifts - that could turn the thinning process into something positive and you may get the opportunity to see them again in a different setting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJune 18, 2014 at 6:56 AM

      Thanks Kris, gifting them is a good idea, then wintering them over will be someone else's problem, LOL

      Delete
  7. outlawgardenerJune 17, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    Certainly there's space in your basement for some grow lights? Does anyone actually stay in that extra bedroom? Could it become a plant room for the winter? Could there be space for a small greenhouse at your place? Maybe beside the garage? And the garage, who needs to put a car in there anyway? On the bright side, thinning the collection will make the migration of pots in the spring and fall a little easier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJune 18, 2014 at 6:55 AM

      thanks Peter, I already have extensive lights set up in the basement for wintering over plants. the problem is that the collection just got too large after having two winters in a greenhouse and now it's time to pare things down.

      Delete
  8. ksJune 17, 2014 at 9:31 PM

    I've been collecting cactus and succulents since I lived in San Diego in the late 70's to mid 80's...lost plenty the first winter when I moved up here to Norcal -I was very ignorant of cold temps in those days. I've been careful since then, but last winters sustained 20's were to much for many that normally can make it if you have them under protection. They seem to do really well in the house over winter. Most Agaves are hardy here thank goodness ! Your collection seems to have grown---what a shock !!! You are hopeless Deanne !

    ReplyDelete
  9. danger gardenJune 17, 2014 at 10:09 PM

    Deanne everything is just so healthy and perfect, I can't imagine letting any of them go. Maybe heating oil prices will plummet before fall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJune 18, 2014 at 6:53 AM

      Thanks Loree, I know I'm already having anxiety attacks of what to let go... I dont' think the heating oil prices will go down enough for me to afford to heat a greenhouse again... sigh

      Delete
  10. Leslie's GardenJune 19, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    Oh Deanne! They are all so beautiful. I don't envy the decisions you'll have to make!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJuly 4, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Tough situation, to have to pare down to your most favorites, you've got so many to choose from. I can only imagine the time and money it takes to keep all this growing so well with your winters. Here the problem is lack of water due to drought, and I have to realistically pare down the water loving tropicals, too many plants in containers, edit and simplify to the easier to grow with less work. Fortunately succulents and agaves/aloes, Dasylirions, Beschornerias etc do really well here in the Bay Area.

    It's tough, but short of moving someplace warmer, ya gotta do it. Good luck, and hope you sort it out.

    David Feix

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deanne FortnamJuly 4, 2014 at 12:49 PM

      Thanks David,. Yes,. it really is going to be a chore to decide what to let go of.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousJuly 6, 2014 at 3:52 PM

    Succulents aren't typical New England, but I am in love with the variety in both shape and shades of green. Problem is I can't find a good (and reasonably priced) source here. Where do you find your succulents? Here in Maine I find it hard to find a place that has more than two varieties of hens and chicks, much less the other succulents. Love all your plantings. Truly beautiful. Sure wish I could find a way to help you reduce your selection! ;-)

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)