by Mark Evans

Succulents are unique plants known for their thick, fleshy tissues that store water, helping them survive in dry or arid environments. Many of these plants have special features, such as waxy coatings, spines or rosette formations that minimise water loss. This diverse group includes familiar species like cacti, aloe and jade plants, each with its own characteristics.

Found all over the world, succulents are especially common in dry climates. In Australia, one well-known succulent is Carpobrotus spp, also called pigface. While succulents are often praised for being low maintenance, not all thrive in the same conditions. Some varieties, like Echeveria spp and Sedum spp, love direct sunlight, while others, such as Haworthia spp and Gasteria spp, need shade. If a sunloving succulent doesn’t get enough light, it will stretch out and develop long, weak shoots. On the flip side, shade-tolerant succulents can suffer sunburn.

To keep succulents healthy, they need well-draining soil or dry conditions. The ideal potting mix should be light, airy and gritty, allowing excess water to drain away quickly while ensuring good airflow around the roots. A common blend includes potting mix combined with coarse sand, perlite or pumice. You can also use regular potting mix, as long as you water sparingly. Being porous, terracotta pots are especially suitable for succulents.

Succulents come in a stunning variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures. From the sharp, geometric forms of aloe and agave to the soft, rosette shapes of Echeveria and Sedum, there’s a succulent to match every style and space. But be warned: like eating potato chips, once you start collecting them, it’s hard to stop at just one!

Meanwhile, around the towns I have noticed the old fragrant hedge favourite Murraya paniculata (murraya) is in full bloom, as are the tough old Nerium oleander (oleander). If you are planning a murraya hedge, consider interplanting with Michelia figo (port wine magnolia) for a fragrance that I interpret as being akin to bubble gum. Another current eye-catcher are some colourful mixed stands of red and yellow canna lilies.

In the wild places on the sides of the road, one of the current standouts is unfortunately the ornamental weed Lilium formosanum (Taiwan lily) which is easily recognised by its large (up to 15cm long) trumpet-shaped white flowers that point out horizontally atop a single strap-leaved main stem (to two metres). The flowers are highly fragrant, and you’ll be doing the bush and yourself a favour if you stop and pick some flowers to take home and put in a vase, thereby preventing seed spread.

Finally, this month in the vegie garden we will be preparing for the first of our pea crops. Whether they are snow peas or pod peas, March is the month. On St Patrick’s Day, 17 March, I also like to plant sweet peas in anticipation of some welcome late winter colour and fragrance. Remember, peas climb and beans twine, so give your peas some mesh or chicken wire to scramble up.

If you have any comments, gardening questions, or plant or pest identification problems, please send them through to gardening@thetriangle.org.au and I will get back to you personally.

Happy growing.

Photos (top to bottom): Echeveria spp. in terracotta pots, Echeveria sp. (bee’s knees), Haworthia retusa (star cactus), Crassula undulatifolia (Ripple Jade).