mother's day, flowers and succulents!

Happy Mother’s Day to all your wonderful mothers out there. I also want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all the aunties and fabulous female role models who may not be mothers but provide such amazing support and guidance to family and friends. For me, this is especially true as my mother passed when I was 10. My sisters and I were raised by our maternal grandmother and surrounded by a couple of truly wonderful, strong and inspiring women who still mentor me to this day.

My wooden ‘planted’ flower seeing as our flowers won’t appear for another month or so.

Today, I have been showered with flowers of every variety. I LOVE receiving flowers. It’s amazing how something so simple can make me so happy. Gift number one was from my husband and daughter who bought me some amazing hanging baskets for our deck (one of my favorite places to sit in the summer). Then my daughter surprised me with a huge standing flower ‘planted’ in the garden, made from wood with help from a neighbor. So fun! But it doesn’t stop there….one of my lovely wedding couples (if you didn’t already know, I am also a wedding and event planner when I am not in the kitchen!) who is debating postponing her wedding had my favorite local florist create a gorgeous arrangement for me which I LOVE. And finally, I received a trio of succulents from 41North. Wow.

Gorgeous hanging baskets for the deck

I have to admit that although I love flowers and plants, I am terrible at keeping them alive. So, I figured I better do some research about my new potted succulents. Thankfully, it turns out that succulents are hard to kill! These cool little plants are very hearty and even Alex proof. Phew!

A trio of succulents from 41North

Key Tips for Keeping Your Succulents Alive

 1.     Succulents come from the dessert. They expect light and lots of it. So be sure to put them somewhere in your house where they get a lot of light.  If possible, choose the sunniest south facing window.

2.     All succulents benefit from a complete soaking, until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. For succulents, wait until the soil is bone dry — and then some — to water again. The recommendation is to water your succulent once a week with a good soaking.

3.     If you can, once you get your succulent baby home, change its soil to a desert-dweller mix, combining half potting soil with something inorganic like perlite. This super well-draining, low-nutrient soil will work for most succulents whether they’re used to thriving in the high and dry Andes or the broiling bottom lands of Death Valley.

4.     Succulents prefer warmer weather and are not able to withstand freezing temperatures. So be sure to place your succulent in a place where it won’t get too cold.

5.     Succulents change color due to extremes in temperature as well as a lack of water or sunlight. Succulents tend to ‘blush’ or turn a different color when given a shock (i.e. more sunlight than normal). If succulents are lacking sun light, they will be dull green or green. When fully blushing, succulents, range in color from pinks to oranges, purples and almost black and red.

A couple of fun succulent facts for you:

1.     60 different plant families contain succulents.

2.     Cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.

3.     Succulent means ‘sap’ in Latin. Succulents store ‘sap’ in their leaves and the sap provides nourishment to the plant when there is no other nourishment to be had.

4.     Succulents come in array of color including pink, yellow and blue.

5.     You can propagate succulents from cuttings or pieces of the stem that break away.

6.     Some people wear their succulents as jewelry (maybe next Mother’s day!)

7.     The chalky substance on the leaves is designed to protect the plant from the sun. They will never get a ‘sunburn’!

To propagate your succulent

Remove a leaf or stem from your plant. To remove the leaf without tearing, gently twist it.  Let the leaf dry out by a window.  Once it is dry, it will grow roots. Then plant the leaf once it has roots.

I am so inspired to watch and care for my succulents after sharing all this information with you. Inspired? Then, consider buying some plants and surround yourself with some color. It’s amazing how during this crazy and challenging time, flowers and plants are providing me with so much joy and positivity. Enjoy! Now, off to enjoy the sunshine.

A beautifull arrangement made by Holly with Hop Rabbit Flowers in Steamboat Springs