8 ALTERNATIVE SUCCULENTS FOR A DISH GARDEN

A great many plants come under the general heading of succulents yet most small dish gardens seem to restrict themselves to a few of the most common varieties. This is a pity because they are so many others that are equally attractive if less well known. This article by Bonnie L Grant which I found on the Gardening Know How website describes her top 8 overlooked succulent plants.

When it comes to making a little succulent dish garden, there are several ?go-to? plants that simply scream charm and have the ease of care notable in the group. The choices are nearly endless and include the group cacti, which are also succulents. Aloe and jade are obvious options for succulents but you might try some unique specimens that are not often utilized and have special quirkiness all their own. Here are my Top 8 picks:

1. Lithops ? Lithops are one of the more fun plants and add a surprise to any succulent container. They are called living stones and grow in arid regions with rocky terrain. Just the very top of the plant sticks out of its environment and what can be seen resembles pebbles. The visible structure doesn?t have apparent leaves but is often bifurcated as the plant reproduces. In perfect conditions, these even produce bright, cheery flowers.

2. Adenium ? Desert rose is a special type of succulent. It has an almost tree-like form with a thick stem or caudex. This is its main water storage system and the caudex can swell or shrink just like anyone on a diet. The leaves are spatulate to oval, green with a grayish cast and stiff but not thick and padded like most succulent leaves. The best part is the flower. It produces a very showy, tropical pink bloom that will knock your socks off.

3. Rope Hoya ? Hoya are a very large class of succulents. Rope hoya is a trailing plant, useful in hanging gardens. It has thick, fleshy leaves that stack neatly upon each other as they grow off long stems. Rope hoya is very adaptable to light conditions and has a slow, consistent growth rate.