Garden Planner: Showy New Succulents
Aloe...Yes, We're Talking to You
Looking for some stellar additions to your succulent garden? Garden America radio co-host John Bagnasco and Altman Plants horticulturist Bob Reidmuller, both North County residents, share their top 100 picks in their new book Success With Succulents (Cool Springs Press, $24.99). Among the tantalizing choices—standards to rarities—are some must-have hybrids, many bred in Altman’s Vista facilities. Find them at garden centers and nurseries, including Oasis Water Efficient Gardens, the grower’s retail outlet in Escondido.
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Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’
As colorful as its namesake, this hybrid was created over several years by Altman’s internationally renowned Renee O’Connell. Rosettes of yellow and green striped petals are tipped in rose-red that deepens to burgundy in cool months. Feed monthly with diluted fertilizer fall to spring for best color.
As colorful as its namesake, this hybrid was created over several years by Altman’s internationally renowned Renee O’Connell. Rosettes of yellow and green striped petals are tipped in rose-red that deepens to burgundy in cool months. Feed monthly with diluted fertilizer fall to spring for best color.
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Gorgon’s Grotto Echeveria
Open foot-wide rosettes on this bold hybrid are circled with lavender-blushed gray-green leaves with ruffled hot-pink edges. Pink warty bumps or caruncles add more texture to this O’Connell creation. Protect from frost and intense inland sun.
Open foot-wide rosettes on this bold hybrid are circled with lavender-blushed gray-green leaves with ruffled hot-pink edges. Pink warty bumps or caruncles add more texture to this O’Connell creation. Protect from frost and intense inland sun.
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‘Neon Breakers’ Echeveria
Another O’Connell hybrid, this densely petaled ruffled rosette glows with violet, mauve and magenta hues that spread like a sunset across blue-green leaves. Colors best in full sun. Forms clusters over time.
Another O’Connell hybrid, this densely petaled ruffled rosette glows with violet, mauve and magenta hues that spread like a sunset across blue-green leaves. Colors best in full sun. Forms clusters over time.
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‘Compton Carousel’ Hen and Chicks
Creamy white petals on these fleshy rosettes seem hand-painted with jade-green stripes. Add a delicate pink blush in cooler weather and it’s easy to see why this garden sport, initially discovered in a Sonoma garden, is in demand. Forms mounds over time.
Creamy white petals on these fleshy rosettes seem hand-painted with jade-green stripes. Add a delicate pink blush in cooler weather and it’s easy to see why this garden sport, initially discovered in a Sonoma garden, is in demand. Forms mounds over time.
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‘Blizzard’ and ‘Delta Dawn’ Aloes
Strikingly patterned leaves, light-catching edges and unusual colors make these small aloes (up to 10 inches) big attention getters. ‘Blizzard’ is snow white zigzagged with green; ‘Delta Dawn’ is blue-green with fuzzy coral dashes. Both bloom and pup profusely.
Strikingly patterned leaves, light-catching edges and unusual colors make these small aloes (up to 10 inches) big attention getters. ‘Blizzard’ is snow white zigzagged with green; ‘Delta Dawn’ is blue-green with fuzzy coral dashes. Both bloom and pup profusely.
