Sempervivum planter

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With the weather having improved drastically over the weekend (let’s not talk about the wind though!) and after giving the back lawn it’s first cut – I thought it was about time I got started on some of the ‘wee projects’ I have planned for the garden this year.

The first job was to plant up some of the Sempervivums I have collected over the last few months. I was very kindly sent a lovely selection from Bjs, a couple were brought down from Inverness by Bulbaholic and Moongrower, a couple given to me by Scotsgran (from her brother’s garden) and a couple I’ve bought myself.

As the container is really quite big and heavy – the bottom was filled with broken up polystyrene pieces. This should help reduce the weight. Not that I intend moving it – they should be ok in here during the winter, so long as I protect from the wet. A contraption will be knocked up at a later date!

I used a 50/50 mix of John Innes No. 2 and grit. These plants require good drainage if they are to thrive.
One of the sunniest places in the garden is up on the deck – this sunny spot should make an ideal place to position the container.

I used a few pieces of slate ( I found a massive pile of roofing slates which had been fly tipped along by the river bank) and a small pot to add a bit of decoration.

The whole container was then given a dressing of gravel. Not only does it look good – it serves a purpose. It will help keep the weeds out and it will stop the moisture getting to the plants.

I have read here on GOY that blackbirds are rather attracted to these plants when they are first planted out – I’ve seen it mentioned in a few posts and pictures.
Here’s a solution I found – once the plants have settled in – I can remove it. Fashioned from a couple of shelf thingies I bought from Ikea years ago and never got round to using. The ends were bent out and this allowed them to be sunk into the compost, hopefully it should be just enough to stop them!

There is also a couple of sedums popped in to trail over the edge – a variegated one I received from Seaburngirl and a little rooted piece from one I bought for my mini-garden.

I also had a couple of pots of Semps I picked up at a discounted price just before Christmas. They were kept in the cold frame over winter and have improved over the last few weeks. A bit of novelty but I’m looking forward to seeing this fill out!

These boots were a pair that were about to be relegated to the bin by one of the guys at work!!

So thank you all my GOY friend x

• 22 Apr, 2013
• 11 likes

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