Cinderblock succulent wall deconstruction
I hesitate to say this, since some of you mourned my stock-tank pond more than I did, but I’ve taken down the succulent wall made of cinderblocks.
Here’s how it looked in March 2011 — almost 10 years ago! — freshly stacked and planted. It visually enclosed one side of our upper patio and was interesting to look at from both the patio and the pathway on the other side. (Click here for my how-to on building it.)
At the time, the patio was furnished with small-scale furniture from my previous garden, and the succulent wall helped fill the empty space. Plus it was a playful, surprising feature. Nearly every visitor commented on it.
Over time it proved easier to plant more of the winter survivors — ghost plant, Palmer’s sedum, ‘Quadricolor’ agave — than to replant with tender succulents each spring. Or I just got lazier. At any rate, I looked at it anew this year and realized it wasn’t sparking joy anymore. Plus I’d bought a big, comfy outdoor sofa, which visually crowded out the succulent wall.
So last week I pulled down the top two levels of cinderblocks, intending to pull out the whole thing. But when I got to this level I stopped. It looked kind of cool as a low, straight line, and I briefly considered laying a wood plank on top and making a plant table out of it.
On second thought, what if I fill those holes with soil and plant them up with one type of plant — maybe soap aloe, candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), slipper plant (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) if I plant in spring (it’s not reliably winter hardy), or ‘Frazzle Dazzle’ dyckia? Wouldn’t it be cool to see a row of that in bloom?
The possibilities!
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Digging Deeper
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Pam, I admire your willingness to tackle new designs and remove old ones. You have long been an inspiration to me and i look forward to seeing what’s next. xogail
Aw, thank you, Gail! I like to give garden spaces a refresh. They get tired after a while. Same as with my home interiors. 🙂
I do love that cinderblock display and have even thought about creating something similar somewhere in my garden. However, I can see your point about the way it and the newer outdoor sofa crowd one another. I like the transitional idea of using the reduced version of cinderblock unit to create a succulent hedge of sorts behind the sofa. Something that adds height behind the sofa is particularly appealing in my view. I look forward to the transformation whatever choice you make.
Yes, something to accentuate the sofa rather than compete with it — that’s what I’m after.
What about a run of horsetail?
Oh no, uh-uh, no way. 🙂 I would only have horsetail (and have) in a steel stock-tank pond, where it could never get loose.
Excellent! I love it all ready and can’t wait to see what you plant there. A question…what’s the heavily variegated plant next to the wall? I can’t figure it out!
It’s ‘Espresso’ mangave, a white-edged variety of ‘Macho Mocha’ mangave. It was a passalong from local plantsman and designer Scott Ogden, and then his got destroyed by the evil agave weevil, but I had some pups so was able to repay him with a new plant. It gets zero irrigation and thrives in its dry shade location with a little winter protection from that cinderblock wall.
Hmmm, I like the short wall! Considered painting it? or stucco? What about orange and yellow bulbine? So fun to play in your garden, huh?
I like the gray industrial look, so no paint. I do like bulbine, but this is a shady area, and bulbine needs more sun to bloom well. Yes, it’s definitely fun to redo an area!
I vote for a row of Echeveria “Cante.” They will give you a subtle color difference from the blocks and the humming birds will love the flowers. They are easy to plant and to transplant when too large. I’ve got a small one on my upright disc plow birdbath and the hummers are out there every day.
Echeveria is beautiful and would indeed look terrific with the cinderblocks. I’ve had only spotty success with echeverias here in Austin though. Our summer heat combined with unrelenting humidity makes them melt away by midsummer. Are you in Central Texas too, out of curiosity? If so, I’d love your growing tips!
I actually like that short wall infinitely better! Don’t you love it when your brain stops you mid-project and you do a 180? Looking forward to seeing what you plant in it and particularly like your idea of choosing one type of plant only, and serving as a hedge behind the sofa, as Kris P mentions.
Sorry, I still miss that pond! (But then I’m not doing the maintenance on it, either.)
Hah! 🙂
The only constant is change. Spark the joy!
Yes indeed!
Everyone seems to like the short wall, but how about a tall, sleek wall? Just tall enough to peek over the back of the sofa, so you could see the greenery when you are seated facing the sofa. Kind of like a sofa table has a few pretty items as a backdrop to the sofa.
But definitely, one consistent planting.
I can see that idea & like that a lot! It will be fun to see what happens with the wall and the plant choice.
I’m toying with the idea of raising it up one more level, actually.
It is fun to rearrange.
It sure is.
How about Blackfoot Daisy? I love the way mine cascades over the pot and has done so well through this hot summer.
Not enough sun, but it’s a pretty choice for those hot, dry areas.
I have no suggestions about plants but definitely like the idea of using a single one. I also like the idea of being able to see the plant when facing the sofa (which is SO much better than the smaller chairs). So I think your idea of raising one level (or more?) is a good one. Can’t wait to see the results.
Yes, I think it does need to be taller to be useful from both sides. I gave away the upper level too soon! 🙂
I think the short wall with a one type of plant would look very nice. I’m happy you change it, now I can get more ideas from your yard. Looking forward to see the outcome.