Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Succulents Add Simple Charm


Succulents seem to have made a comeback.

My apartment in college was filled with succulents: jade, aloe, burro's tail, hen and chicks, Christmas cactus, kalanchoe . . . That was in the '70s. In moving state to state during the years after college, I betrayed these unassuming natural friends by giving them all away to new homes. I honestly hadn't thought much about succulents since. I was so over that phase.

Until last year, when my now daughter-in-law told me she and my son were incorporating succulents into their wedding bouquets and table arrangements.

They chose a pretty and versatile hen and chicks variety, along with the show-stopping spider agave to create an element of surprise in her stunning bouquet and my son's boutonniere. I was instantly won over once again by the charm of these versatile, fleshy plants.

Have you ever seen a more lovely bouquet?


You might remember my earlier post about the teacups, saucers and teapots I collected for the wedding reception centerpieces. They looked breath-taking on the the tables, filled with lovely flowers and the occasional succulent surprise.


During the reception tear down, I wrapped up a handful of the hen and chicks in wet paper towels, tied them in a plastic grocery bag and carried them home with me on the plane the following day.

I planted them in a variety of vintage aluminum tart cups and molds. They look darling on our dining room window seat.


Hen and chicks are among my favorite succulents. The color of this specific variety is so serene and the mothers propagate plenty of chicks that can be harvested to create new plants. They're easy to take care of (a misting of water every couple of days) and they take direct or diffused sun.

Whether used as home decor, incorporated into wedding bouquets or planted in an outdoor rock garden, succulents are an easy way to add simple charm to any setting.

Make it a great day!




7 comments:

  1. Hi Ann! Lovely post on succulents--the teacup ones are my favorite! Blessings, Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  2. That bouquet is amazing..........and my fav succulent is the one you have in the tea cup. Is that what
    they call hen and chicks?? My mom used to have one of those plants when I was a kid....it reminded
    me of a rose carved out of soap. Very pretty! That is truly the most creative bouquet I have ever seen.
    Thanks for sharing this.

    Blessings, Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the idea of succulents instead of flowers. They would last so much longer too! Pretty much the only thing that has survived my black thumb at home are succulents, they are the best :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love succulents, but the one in the wedding bouquet is spectacular. So out of the ordinary! Love them in the teacups and mold dishes.. unique! It was sweet of you to stop by and let me know you liked my vintage dish lid towel holders!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oops, I forgot to say tt was sweet of you to stop by and let me know you liked my vintage dish lid towel holders!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That bouquet is gorgeous! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-109.html Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is just beautiful.... I would love for you to share it at the Home Sweet Garden Party!

    See the post here ---->>>
    http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/2014/07/home-sweet-garden-729.html

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.