Kalanchoe, aloe, cacti, crassula, crassula, agave - these unpretentious plants are found in almost every home and office, but few people know that they all belong to the group of succulents. This category unites species characteristic of regions with arid climates that accumulate moisture in modified stems and leaves. Thanks to this feature, succulents can survive without watering for a long time, maintaining their attractive appearance. Aesthetics and unpretentiousness make them an excellent option for landscaping interiors, terraces, flower beds and even rocky alpine hills.
Description and types of succulents
Translated from Latin, succulentus means “succulent” - this is how one can describe the appearance of representatives of semi-desert flora. During the summer rainy season, they intensively collect water, thanks to which they can withstand dry subequatorial winters. Several families are classified as succulents - these include cactus, crassulaaceae, agave, lily, euphorbia, and aizoonaceae plants. Their exotic shape and bright flowers look extremely attractive in any setting, and the ability to go without watering for a long time greatly saves time and effort in caring for these compact green spaces.
In the broadest classification, succulents are divided into two categories - stem ones, with a thickened and often ribbed stem (cacti, spurge) and leaf ones, in which moisture accumulates in the fleshy leaves (crassula, aloe, young and others). The biological characteristics of all these plants allow them to absorb water from any possible sources: long roots pull it from the deep layers of the soil, ground shoots collect dew, fluff on the surface is designed to condense droplets of moisture from the air, and rain flows down smooth curved leaves directly to the outlet . All this means that guests from arid climates sometimes still need life-giving watering and spraying, but this must be done very moderately and carefully.
Species are grown indoors for which a decrease in sunlight and temperature during the dormant period is not critical. The most popular indoor succulents are all kinds of cacti, as well as numerous names of Crassulaceae, such as:
Aeonium. The leaves of aeonium, rounded and slightly pointed at the tips, resemble multi-layered dahlia or rose flowers in appearance. At the same time, they have completely unique colors - a green gradient along the jagged edges can be edged with pink or red, and there are also dark purple, black, lemon, and creamy green species. The stem of indoor aeonium is very short, and the leaves are tightly pressed to each other, growing in a checkerboard pattern from the center to the edges.
Graptopetalum. The attractiveness of this plant lies mainly in its unusual flowering. Around May-July, twigs with beautiful five-petal pink “stars” appear from a squat rosette of fleshy leaves. In the center of the opened buds, bright yellow stamens on long stalks sparkle, which give the blooming flowers a special festive charm. This extravaganza lasts 2–3 weeks, and then the succulent returns to its standard appearance for fat plants.
Pachyphytum. The Greek name Pachyphytum means “thick-leaved,” which can really be considered the main characteristic of this succulent. Its dense leaves in the shape of elongated and slightly flattened grapes are covered with a bluish waxy coating that prevents moisture evaporation. The plant has the form of numerous pineal-shaped processes, which are connected to each other by short, woody stems. Pachyphytum blooms inconspicuously, producing small pinkish shoots like slightly deformed ears of corn.
Aichrizon. This succulent is also called the “tree of love.” With its small dark green leaves, crown-like branches and dense stem, it really resembles a miniature tree. Associations with romance are probably due to the heart-shaped shape of the leaf blades. In the spring-summer period, the aichrizon is covered with a lush cloud of small golden flowers, which are very similar to the panicles of St. John's wort. To form a crown, the tree is regularly pruned, and in the warm season it needs regular watering with small doses of water.
Monantes. A large number of small green cones growing directly from the ground - this is Monantes. During flowering, a thin reddish stem with a pale yellow “star” at the end rises from the center of each rosette. This succulent is valuable for its miniature size, and in compositions it makes an interesting background for larger plants.
Crassula. Much more often this plant is mentioned under the names “crassula”, “tree of happiness” or “money tree”. Its rounded leaves with a yellowish tint look like coins, so this succulent is considered an amulet that attracts financial wealth and prosperity to the house.
Brighamy. A bright palm-shaped plant, known under the names “Hawaiian palm”, “volcano palm”. In autumn, yellow star flowers appear at the green top, with which the succulent takes on an even more exotic look.
Portulacaria, or “elephant bush” is an ornamental mini-tree with a very powerful tree-like stem of dark brown color. In terms of texture, it really evokes associations with the legs of elephants, but the countless miniature light green leaves against the background of a thick base look very contrasting.
Argyroderma, which in translation sounds like “silver skin”, owes its name to its unique coloring. The cold greenish tone of the dense leaves seems even more mysterious due to the light gray waxy coating. In shape, this plant repeats sea stones - the same smooth and oval-flattened, but dissected in the center. During the flowering period, the doors open slightly, and in each one an incredibly beautiful “aster” of orange, pink or bright yellow color appears.
Lithops, or living stones, cannot be immediately distinguished from pebbles. The gray, slightly spotted color completely camouflages them in the natural environment. The succulent reveals that it belongs to the plant kingdom only during flowering, when bright “daisies” in yellow, orange, pink or white tones bloom among the rounded half leaves.
Kalanchoe, with its rich and lush star-shaped inflorescences, is often purchased as a gift or simply for interior decoration. This succulent develops well in normal indoor conditions and tolerates both excess and lack of sunlight. Kalanchoe juice has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and regenerating properties, which is widely used in folk medicine and cosmetology.
Haworthia. It has fleshy, but elongated and pointed leaves with jagged spines along the edges or woody white dots and “ribs” along the entire green surface. At the same time, young plants look quite peaceful, but over time they acquire an increasingly “frightening”, prickly appearance. Thanks to its exotic texture, haworthia can adequately decorate any floral arrangement.
Caring for Succulents
Brought from an arid climate, succulents require fairly harsh growing conditions. The slightest excess of comfort, oddly enough, leads these Spartan plants to lose their decorative properties or even die.
Cacti, fat plants and other guests from desert latitudes react positively to the indifferent attitude of the owners - they can even be left in the apartment without supervision or watering, and a few months later they can be found in the same condition. But succulents will delight with truly beautiful shape and flowering only if they are provided with an optimal climate close to natural.
Lighting
For all of the listed species, sunlight is vital, although, for example, the Tolstyannikovs recommend slightly diffused rather than direct light. The scorching heat is preferred by desert and mountain plant species - cacti, aloe, kalanchoe, and dwarf shrub trees. For this reason, it is advisable to grow them on balconies and window sills on the south side of the house. In winter, succulents enter a dormant period and photosynthesis slows down, so short daylight hours are not a big problem, but you still shouldn’t move the plants to a dark corner.
Air
For normal development, succulents need good ventilation. Loose rocky soil should provide air access to the roots. In general, plants respond well to room ventilation, and in summer it is recommended to plant them in a flowerbed or at least take them with pots to a balcony, veranda or under a canopy. The natural humidity of oxygen has a positive effect, from which the leaves absorb the missing elements.
Watering
Excess moisture for this botanical group is more destructive than its prolonged lack, so moderation and caution should be exercised with water. During active growth and flowering, that is, from late spring to early autumn, succulents need to be watered 1-3 times a week in small portions. In the off-season, the frequency should be approximately once a week to a week and a half, and in winter, one or two modest waterings per month are sufficient.
Temperature
For summer, the optimal temperature in a room with cacti and similar moisture storage devices is the standard +25...+30C during the day and +15...+20C at night. During the dormant period, most of these plants love coolness, so the temperature can be lowered to +5C, although ordinary room conditions with +15...+20C are also suitable.
Fertilizers
Any organic matter is strictly contraindicated for succulents, but mineral fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium will come in handy. It is best to buy a ready-made preparation for cacti and water the plants with it at the frequency indicated on the package during the growth period (spring-summer).
There are four main ways to propagate this group of indoor plants: from seeds, from cuttings, by rooting parts of leaves, or by simply detaching daughter formations.
The process of growing seeds is the longest and most labor-intensive, so it is used only by professionals to develop new varieties. Amateur flower growers limit themselves to very simple vegetative methods. So, for example, it is enough to dry a cut cutting or a fleshy piece of a leaf for 1–2 days, treat the cut with a growth stimulant, and then deepen it 1.5–2.5 cm into river sand, previously watered with warm water, and leave it in a bright place for 2–3 weeks for rooting. Sometimes you can simply place parts of the leaves on damp soil without sprinkling them - soon roots will appear at the cut site and begin to grow in on their own.
The soil for succulents should be poor in organic matter, so you should not add peat, black soil or humus to it. A clay-turf mixture is optimal, which can be further lightened with coarse river sand. For additional ventilation, it is recommended to add small pebbles or broken sea shells.
As a rule, the “ingredients” necessary for plants are placed in a container in layers: pebbles or other drainage at the bottom, then the soil itself, a layer of sand and again stones. This mosaic looks especially impressive in transparent florariums. To prevent succulents from wasting all their energy on root growth, relatively small and cramped pots are selected for them, replanting only as the above-ground part increases, every 1–3 years.
Succulents - photo
The unusual beauty and unpretentiousness of succulents provide wide scope for their use. Plants can decorate the local area, being a worthy element of a flower bed or flower garden. With their participation, the most original flower arrangements are created, including magnificent phyto-walls. Succulents look especially elegant in home florariums, which you can easily make yourself using shaped containers. Many pictures in our photo gallery will introduce you to the varieties of these interesting and, at times, funny plants. Enjoy watching!
An alpine slide, otherwise known as a rock garden, is a popular technique in landscape design. A composition of stones, a small waterfall and low-growing plants will be a magnificent decoration for any garden or personal plot.
The ideal place for a rock garden is a garden plot against the backdrop of a tall building, such as a house. It is advisable that the place be sunny.
Having chosen a place, mark the area and remove the top layer of soil to the depth of the turf. The recess can be filled with drainage material, which can be used as broken bricks and crushed stone left after construction.
Drainage is vital for mainly succulents, especially if the slide is being built on waterlogged soil. The drainage layer must be covered with earth. Often, previously removed soil is used for this.
After installing the drainage, you can proceed to laying out the stones, that is, building the alpine slide itself. It is ideal if large stones similar in appearance, for example, shell rock, are selected for the rock garden.
You cannot lay stones vertically - they are installed horizontally, penetrating about a third into the soil. When laying out stones, you should provide yourself with access to any part of the hill for subsequent care of the plants.
The soil around the stones should be compacted. After this, the finished structure must be watered so that the stones “settle.” It’s good if the alpine hill stands in good rain before planting.
Succulents for an alpine slide
Various succulents are planted between the stones. Don't do this too often - succulents quickly take up a large area. Usually one season is enough for this.
They require a special watering regime. Here we need to say what it is.
Succulents or sedums are plants living in arid zones that tend to accumulate moisture for future use.
For example, cacti are classified as succulents. Succulents do not belong to the same family - this is the name of a trait that unites several species and speaks only of the plant’s ability to store water in its stems, leaves or roots.
Watering the alpine hill should be as rare as possible. A few waterings during a particularly dry summer will be sufficient. Otherwise, the plants may rot and die.
To create an alpine slide, you can use a variety of succulents. However, preference should be given to winter-hardy endemics, which should be distinguished from. The former are able to withstand cold winters, while the latter can only withstand short-term frosts.
Some types of succulents for rock gardens
- sedum (Sedum) – grows very quickly;
- grains (Draba) – frost-resistant, bloom beautifully;
- saxifrage (Saxi-fraga) - true to its name, capable of rooting even on bare stones, using minimal cracks;
- young (Sempervivum) are very hardy succulents that bloom in mid-summer.
The catalog of succulents (succulentus) includes indoor, or home, as well as garden or outdoor plants, the distinctive feature of which is the presence of special tissues for storing water. Most often, such species and varieties grow in areas with arid climatic conditions and a long hot period. The group, which is united by the general name “succulents,” includes both leafy and flowering plants, related to each other by similar conditions in the habitat.
Botanical features
Succulents are plants that are well adapted to lack of moisture and exposure to direct sunlight. The term denotes a set of external characteristics and properties of a plant, which was acquired under the influence of similar growing conditions. There are stem and leaf succulents.
Regardless of the type, succulents easily adapt to extremely low rainfall, uneven moisture distribution, bright sunlight and high levels of solar radiation, as well as dry air, almost complete absence of shading, differences in day and night temperatures and clay or rocky soils.
There are about ten thousand succulents, which belong to different families and grow in different regions, but a significant part of them is represented by the following families:
- cactus family (Cactaceae)
- family of swallowtails (Asclepiadaceae)
- asphodelaceae family
- Crassulaceae family
- Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae)
- Mesembryanthemaceae family
It should be noted that all succulents belonging to the stem category are capable of storing water in the thickened, often ribbed stem part. The foliage is small or reduced to spines. Prominent representatives are cacti and a significant part of the species of milkweed. Leaf succulents are characterized by thick, fleshy foliage that conserves moisture. This category primarily includes aloe, lithops, haworthia and echeveria.
Photo gallery
Succulents: varieties (video)
Popular leaf species and varieties
Non-flowering succulents have a highly decorative appearance, which is successfully complemented by relative unpretentiousness and endurance.
| Name of species/variety | Description of culture | Features of cultivation |
| Queen Victoria Agave | A non-flowering perennial with basal, rigidly concave, triangular in shape, with a matte surface, dark green leaves with a whitish border and one long thorn, growing in circles | The plant is very difficult to tolerate exposure to direct sunlight, as well as temperatures above 21-22 o C |
| Adromiscus spotted | A thick-leaved perennial houseplant with basal location, greenish-spotted, thick and fleecy leaves, the edges of which have a purple tint. | Cultivation in the absence of direct sunlight and temperature conditions not exceeding 21 o C |
| Aloe squat | Herbaceous-leaf perennial crop, represented by basal, thin, but hard, sword-shaped, light green in color, with pointed leaves, covered with small and rough thorns | A medicinal houseplant that does not require too much competent and special constant care. |
| Crassula | A tree-like plant with a dense stem part and small, oval, succulent, dark green leaves, symmetrically arranged along the branches | A plant in indoor conditions requires constant, regular, but fairly moderate irrigation measures. |
| Haworthia | Herbaceous type dwarf houseplant with basal fleshy, sword-shaped, short, dark green leaves with a white stripe | Needs a shaded place and sufficiently abundant, timely irrigation measures |
Common Flowering Succulents
Of course, flowering indoor ornamental plants belonging to the category of succulents are not distinguished by lush and overly attractive flowering. Nevertheless, such crops are very popular among domestic amateur flower growers.
| Name of species/variety | Description of culture | Flowers | Features of cultivation |
| Agave americana | Leafy perennial, the aerial part of which is represented by basal, green-variegated or plain green, thick, tapering at the top, hard, linear-lanceolate leaves, arranged in a circle and with small spines at the edges | Inconspicuous in appearance, greenish-yellow flowers with a high peduncle | Cultivation in special deciduous-turf-sandy soil at a temperature not lower than 8 o C |
| Adenium | A perennial tree-like plant with a dense stem part, with strong branching and lanceolate, serrate, dissected, light green leaves | Blooms abundantly, raspberry-red-burgundy flowers with a light throat, simple and double type | The plant needs spraying, relatively frequent watering and a temperature of at least 12 o C |
| Aloe variegated | Herbaceous-leaf perennial with basal, green-variegated, wavy-patterned, thick, narrowed upward, hard, linear-lanceolate leaves, forming a leaf rosette and growing in a circle | Flowering is quite rare, represented by orange flowers collected in clusters of inflorescences | An unpretentious type of succulent that requires minimal care |
| Anacampseros | Bushy type, climbing indoor plant, represented by dense dark purple shoots and small, dense, watery, symmetrically arranged leaves | Flowers are medium-sized, pinkish in color, located on long and succulent stalks | Needs constant watering, unlimited space and plenty of lighting |
| Argyroderma | A massive rosette consisting of a pair of very fleshy, dull grayish-green leaves | Regular shape, bright pink color, with small and thin petals | |
| Brighamy | A plant with a dense, low-growing stem, small branches with single, oval-elongated leaves | The flowers are yellow, small in size, located on separate, rather long stalks | The plant needs sufficiently abundant watering and high-quality lighting. |
| Graptopetalum | A stemless herbaceous plant with small, dense, watery, heart-shaped leaves collected in a rose-shaped rosette. | Large, pink, lily-shaped flowers located on tall peduncles | Involves growing in a drainage-type substrate made from fine stones |
What succulents to grow at home
Indoor succulents are characterized by excellent decorative properties, which allows you to decorate almost any interior. Quite often, succulents are grown in rooms with insufficient lighting. It is also important to note that succulents are able to actively develop in conditions of low temperature levels, but the most comfortable is a room with high humidity levels.
Experienced gardeners grow such ornamental plants in close proximity to an aquarium or indoor fountain. Succulents are quite easy to care for and even the lack of proper care cannot negatively affect their appearance. However, it should be remembered that indoor culture prefers drained substrates, high-quality sunlight, and timely watering throughout the growing season.
How to plant succulents (video)
The best garden species and varieties
The category of succulents includes herbs and trees, as well as shrubs, vines and epiphytes. Such a garden plant does not require frequent watering and is absolutely not demanding in care. Many succulents intended for outdoor cultivation are characterized by original shape and beautifully colored foliage. Flowering varieties are especially decorative, which makes them popular in landscape design and among domestic amateur gardeners.
When creating garden compositions, succulent plants from the Crassula family are often used, represented by Crassula, sedum, Kalanchoe, Echeveria or “stone rose,” Aeonum or “ever-living plant.” Many well-known landscape designers recommend using different types of rejuvenation and sedum for garden design, which differ not only in shape, but also in the coloring of the above-ground parts. Varieties of milkweed are very often used as ground cover ornamental garden plants. An interesting multi-tiered decorative composition can be created from creeping sedums, which are also considered ideal for roof landscaping.
Growing prickly pear allows you to diversify your home garden landscape, and will also form a quite decent harvest of tasty and very vitamin-rich fruits by the autumn period. Flower beds, flower beds and alpine slides can be harmoniously complemented by perennial Libyan, which blooms with pink, white, red, plain and striped flowers.
Compositions from succulents (video)
Under natural conditions, in the central zone of our country, many succulent plants are quite common. Juveniles grow on the sandy soils of pine forests, and you can also find golden and pink-colored blossoming star-flowers of sedum or. Rock sedum, from the Crassulaceae family, has also become widespread. Cultivated species with colorful external characteristics are not only unpretentious in care, but are easy to propagate and transplant, and also make it possible to create a variety of highly decorative compositions.
The most hardy and unpretentious ground cover plants for the hill are subulate phlox, tomentose, cat's paws, tenacious, yasminok, rezuhi, aubriet, periwinkle, many carnations and sedums.
However, they grow quickly and can displace their neighbors. At the same time, such aggressive species are indispensable for securing gentle slopes, for planting on spacious terraces and creating a background in flat rocky gardens.
Slow growing, compact carpet plants are suitable for any rock garden. The “bryophyte” saxifrages, bisperms, bryozoans, thymes, houstonia and armeria are hardy and easily propagated by division. Growing “encrusted” saxifrage, saxifrage and Douglas fry is somewhat more difficult. However, in each of the genera there are also unpretentious species. Ground covers are very diverse and are not similar either in appearance or in agricultural technology. The only thing they have in common is “evergreening”: their shoots and leaves remain throughout the winter. This quality makes them one of the best groups for planting in rockeries.
Look at the photos of ground cover plants for a rocky garden, the names of which are given above:
Flowers in winter-green forms form only on overwintered shoots, so the main task is to achieve better regrowth and preservation.
- After flowering, be sure to trim the flower stalks.
- When thinning the clump, carry out mulching or rejuvenating division.
- For the winter, cover with coniferous spruce branches - it will protect the plants from frost and cover them from the spring sun.
- Make sure that the curtain is not covered with an ice crust in winter, otherwise the plants may die. The main problem when growing is weeding. Perennial weeds with spreading rhizomes are almost impossible to weed out from a dense clump. The best places for groundcover are the edges of terraces and the gentle slopes of hills. Dense cushion shapes look great in crevices between stones. Cascading (ampeloid) plants - creeping creeping, soapwort basilica or wall cymbalaria - are very impressive in the crevices between the slabs of retaining walls.
Some of the best ground cover plants are aubrieta, saxifrage, two-seed, dianthus and cat's foot.
Aubrieta – Aubrieta 
Aubriet flowers
Forms extensive carpet thickets. It blooms all spring with small bright flowers; their color varies among different species from pink to purple. It is unpretentious to soils, but prefers well-aerated, non-acidic loams. Sun-loving. Winter-hardy, but to preserve wintering shoots, cover with spruce branches. The best plants for creating flowering carpets in sunny rock gardens and for planting on retaining wall terraces.
Trim shoots with faded flowers - this causes better regrowth of new shoots, and sometimes secondary flowering.
Carnation – Dianthus 
Carnation Flowers – Dianthus
Almost all natural species are suitable for rockeries, but hybrids are more often used. Grayish-blue Carnation (D. gratiano-politanus)
Dianthus plumata (D. plumaris) is a carpet species with narrow leaves. Varietal forms bloom in early summer.
As you can see in the photo, this ground cover plant has straight peduncles, from 3 to 30 cm, white or pink flowers:
Prefers loose, well-drained soil and a sunny location. They require rejuvenation by division or cuttings every 3-4 years.
Two-seed plant – Hutchinsia 
Two-seed flowers – Hutchinsia
The leaves are pinnate and form small rosettes. Blooms profusely in late spring. The flowers are white, collected in racemes, on peduncles about 10 cm high. This perennial groundcover requires a semi-shaded location and loose, non-acidic soil. It loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnation of water on the ground. It is winter-hardy, but in snowless winters it requires shelter. Propagated by seeds or vegetatively by spring division.
Good on terraces and in the crevices of rocky hills, when decorating a cascade and creating an “alpine lawn”.
Saxifraga – Saxifrage 
Saxifraga Flowers – Saxifrage
This ground cover plant got its name because it can grow on seemingly the most unsuitable rocks. For sunny rocky hills, unpretentious types of “encrusted” saxifrage are more often used, in which lime crystals are deposited on the edges of the leaves. This:
Saxifraga cotyledon (S. cotyledon) 
Saxifraga paniculata (S. paniculata)
Saxifraga Hosta (S. hostii) 
The leaves of most species overwinter and are collected in rosettes.
These perennial groundcovers for the rock garden bloom in midsummer. A sunny location, good drainage and proximity to limestone are required. Drought resistant.
Indispensable for rocky slides, look good in mixborders.
Saxifraga Arends (S. x arendsii) 
Flowers of Saxifraga Arends (S. x arendsii)
Arends' saxifrage (S. x arendsii), a group of interspecific hybrid varieties, is often found in rockeries.
Their small rosettes grow together into dense carpets. They bloom in early summer, the color of the flowers ranges from white to dark cherry. These ground cover plants are unpretentious to soils. They grow well both in the sun and in the shade. They are moisture-loving, but tolerate short-term drought.
Cat's Paw – Antennaria 
Shoots Cat's Paws – Antennaria
Thickets of these plants are surprisingly good as background spots. They are indispensable for planting paths between slabs and for strengthening the slopes of rocky hills.
Most species form continuous carpet thickets of spreading shoots.
Look at the photo - these ground cover plants for a rocky garden form dense silvery carpets:
They prefer loose, poor soils. Exceptionally drought-resistant. Sun-loving, but tolerates shade. Winter-hardy without shelter.
Below you can see photos and names of other ground cover plants for alpine hills.
What other ground cover ornamental plants are suitable for rockeries?
Perennial ground cover plants that are ideal for rock gardens and rock gardens also include sedum, sedum, rhizome and thyme.
Rejuvenation in garden design 
Juvenile – Sempervivum
Overwintering rosettes form dense clumps. In spring, the rosettes turn into flowering shoots. Types and varieties differ in leaf color (green, purple, brown or bluish). The flowers are pink, white or light yellow. It tolerates any soil, but grows well only on rich garden loams. Sun-loving.
Drought resistant. Frost-resistant, but modern varieties and hybrids are better covered with spruce branches in frosty, snowless winters.
Sedum – Sedum in garden design 
Sedum – Sedum
Succulents. The flowers are small, collected in inflorescences. Extremely unpretentious and hardy, most species come from mountainous regions, where sedums sometimes grow right on the rocks. Sun-loving, only a few tolerate partial shade. Drought resistant.
As shown in the photo, these perennial groundcovers often form dense mossy thickets:
Spanish sedum (S. hispanicum) in garden design 
Particularly beautiful are the Spanish sedum (S. hispanicum)
Lydian sedum in garden design 
Lydian sedum (S. lydium)
Hexagonal sedum in garden design 
Hexagonal sedum (S. sexangulare)
Flowering carpet thickets form white sedum (S. album) 
White sedum (S. album)
Kamchatka sedum (S. kamtschaticum) in garden design 
Kamchatka sedum (S. kamtschaticum)
False sedum (S. spurium) in garden design 
False sedum (S. spurium)
Sedum reflexum (S. reflexum) in garden design 
Sedum reflexum (S. reflexum)
Sedum (S. rupestre) in garden design 
Sedum (S. rupestre)
Rezuha – Arabis 
Rezuha flowers – Arabis
Most plants require care and comfortable growing conditions from their owners. And, realizing this, some of us try not to burden ourselves with unnecessary troubles if there is no time or desire.
But there is a special group of plants that grew up in the harsh conditions of the Mexican desert, which can, without requiring almost anything, delight us with their bright colors and bizarre shapes. Have you thought about cacti? Yes, these unpretentious flowers really belong to low-demanding indoor pets, but they are not the only ones that inhabit the rocky-sandy landscape of the South American prairies.
Plants with such high vitality are classified as succulents, which means “succulent” in Latin. And, indeed, they have thick fleshy stems or leaves where they store water reserves. Succulents accumulate moisture not only during the rainy season; they are able to extract this life-giving elixir even from the air.
The most common (but far from the only) succulents include sedums and young ones. The last two species are the most hardy and suitable for growing in open ground in the Middle Zone. You will find photos and descriptions of the most decorative varieties later in the article, but now some tips on how to make these plants your friends - pleasing to the eye and requiring little in return.
Unpretentiousness and beauty
In order for succulent plants to cause a minimum of trouble and a maximum of decorative effect, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements for their maintenance. And they are minimal: light, non-greasy soil, lots of light, minimal watering.
Compositions from succulents can be placed on alpine slides, in rockeries, in flower beds, modular flower beds and in portable containers-pots.
In any case, drainage must be provided for them, otherwise the plant will die due to excess moisture. In flower beds, drainage will ensure the sandy composition of the soil, and in alpine hills, succulents are given the upper, most illuminated and dry part.
Features of propagation and transplantation of succulents
Let's start with the first one - the tops of twigs (cuttings) or fleshy leaves are used as planting material. It is not necessary to send the cuttings into a container with water - let the cuts dry slightly (1-2 days), and then simply stick them into damp soil.
As for the leaves, it is necessary to act differently - first, they are completely separated from the stem so that no organic residues are observed on the cuttings. Afterwards, simply place the leaf on moist, loose soil in a well-lit place. The succulent leaf will sprout roots on its own and anchor itself in the ground - there is no need to bury it in the ground.
Succulents produce an abundant number of shoots: feel free to separate the children from the mother plant and plant them in moist soil. In such conditions they take root on their own.
The period allotted for manipulating the transplantation (propagation) of plants in our latitudes falls on April - August (the most favorable months are April and May), when solar activity is high. However, sedums readily take root in the fall - the faded stems are cut to the base and stuck into moist soil. In spring, most of them germinate and produce new individuals.
Succulents for open ground
The ideal plant for the garden should look beautiful, be drought-resistant and withstand the winter conditions of our climate. That is why gardeners are happy to place succulents in their landscape compositions.
They look most harmonious against the background of stones, but this does not mean that the only place for their use is rocky hills and rockeries.
These charms can become a decoration for a mixed border or act as vertical landscaping, for example, a living picture on the wall.
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Sedums (sedums)
Sedums represent such a diverse family that by planting at least 10 species on your site, you will get a beautiful landscape in 3-4 years without any effort.
And if you correctly place accents of conifers, large stones and stone scattering, then all that remains for you is to enjoy the modest and exotic splendor of a garden of succulents. By the way, this is an excellent option for a summer house, where there is already a lot of trouble.
(Mural) resembles inflatable Christmas trees; its lush green foliage turns brownish-red in the sun. During the flowering period, the plant is covered with pale pink flowers.
Sedum white Hillebrantha
Sedum Hillebrant can have different colors. Just like its previous relative, it forms nice mats with foliage ranging from light green to orange and red. And they call it white because during the flowering period it is covered with white inflorescences. 
Rhodiola rosea (sedum rosea)
Rhodiola rosea will not only decorate the garden, but will also improve the health of your loved ones, because this particular plant is known in folk medicine as the “golden root”. And in the garden, an overgrown individual forms nice spherical clumps with bright dots of small umbrella inflorescences.
Sedum (sedum) reflexed
Sedum reflexum is an ideal plant for rockeries because, as it grows, it forms spectacular mats of Christmas tree branches with a bluish bloom. And at the end of summer this rug also blooms!
Sedum comb (Cristatum)
Sedum cristatum, popularly known as sedum cristatum, is absolutely unique in its form, since the adult plant looks like a large caterpillar of a soft green color.
The sophistication of this plant can be emphasized if it is planted alone against a background of decorative mulch or small stones. An excellent option for a rock garden or modular flower garden.
Gardeners love it for its unusual foliage shape: in spring, dry stems are covered with rosette leaves of a bluish-blue hue.
After growth, adult individuals form a continuous dense carpet, which during the flowering period is covered with a dark pink coating of elegant inflorescences.
It also forms a mat, but its height is much lower, and the green color does not fade even in winter. The lush dark green of this sedum is most impressive against a background of gray or beige stone. Ideal for modular flower beds and rock gardens.
Sedum foliage Opaline
Opelin, growing after several years, forms lush spherical clumps of blue color. This combination of shape and color is most impressive against the background of dark mulch, black soil and stone with a reddish tint (granite, granite chips).
This sedum creates rich yellow-green color spots in plantings. It looks most impressive when surrounded by relatives with red foliage, next to conifers, or in single plantings against a background of dark mulch.
This is a creeping plant for alpine slides and decoration of stone retaining walls. The color of the leaves is salad, and the flowers are yellow. He is an equally welcome guest both against the background of stone and for the border of rocky paths. In the mixborder, he is given a place of honor in the foreground.
Gardeners use it in places where it is necessary to cover the soil and bare stems without creating competition for neighbors.
At first it is just a green mat, but during the flowering period it turns into a bright yellow splash of color. Take this fact into account when adding flowers to flowering plants, because yellow is most effective next to the same bright blue, red, orange, and purple. But cream, pale pink and even white can fade against its background.
It is represented by many varieties, differing in the shade of leaves and tonality of flowers from white and lilac to fawn, crimson and ruby. Its inflorescences do not always have a juicy clear color and seem to be shrouded in haze.
Over time, mature plants form lush clumps with a diameter of up to 80 cm; keep this in mind when planting young plants. The best place for this late-blooming sedum is in solitary plantings next to evergreen conifers, in the foreground of mixborders, against the backdrop of a stone scattering.
Sedums Chokolate Drop, Purple Emperor, Purple Carpet
These sedums stand out among their relatives with purple foliage.
Kochias, barberries, euonymuses and yellow-green junipers look best against the background of salad greens.
In autumn they are covered with basket-like inflorescences, the color of which depends on the variety.
Rejuvenated (stone rose)
Young people are endowed with mystical abilities to ward off evil spirits and neutralize negative energy.
Be that as it may, this plant deserves the attention of novice gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and variety of species.
During the flowering period, a stem covered with leaves grows from the middle of each adult rose. It is crowned with a small but brightly colored flower - the shade depends on the type and variety.
It is the most rose-like of its species. The succulent leaves-petals have a soft green color, which in the sun can acquire a bright orange edging. Its rosettes are compact and most suitable as the main background plant in a composition of relatives.
This type is more like a green crystal with a dark red tint. This is a fairly large specimen in its form; it looks great against the background of smaller juveniles and creeping sedums.
This is the most frost-resistant species, because it has to survive in the conditions of a green roof, where the soil freezes through in winter. Nevertheless, bright green roses with flat petals are a welcome guest both on an alpine hill and in a modular flower garden.
It looks like charming balls with dark red petal tips.
When propagating, short branches with miniature balls at the end emerge from under the rosette - these are babies that quickly take root as soon as they land on the ground.
It boasts an unusual leaf color. There are soft green, yellow, light pink shades here.
A composition of this species alone is a self-sufficient decoration of a small piece of land, and if you correctly highlight it with monochromatic green relatives, a bright color effect is guaranteed!
Juvenile Soboliferum (runner)
Soboliferum is distinguished by a small diameter rosette and a very dense planting of short leaves.
Before flowering, an adult rose produces a leafy stem up to 25 cm high, which in June-August is crowned with inflorescences of large yellow flowers. Its children, unlike the adult plant, have a crimson tint to the outer leaves.
Stone rose, video
