A succulent in a tin

A while back I bought a tin of strawberry tea in a fabulous pink tin from Fortnum & Mason. It turned out that the tin was indeed fabulous, but the tea not so much. So saving the best of it, the tin has been in my cupboard for a while as I knew, one day I'd have a use for it. I vaguely remembered seeing succulents planted in tins on Pinterest and I thought, as you do, how hard can it be?

In short, pretty easy - the hardest and most laborious part was removing the paper labels from two sides of the tin. There'd been plenty of cycles through the dishwasher, some scoring and some soaking, but some of the label remained. Last weekend I decided the paper labels were going once and for all.  Cue more soaking - and a new trick - some nail varnish remover to remove that sticky residue that some glues leave.

And finally my tin was ready.

I decided not to pierce drainage holes in my pretty tin, but also didn't want the succulent to sit in water. But instead of crocks and stones I added some corks to the bottom of the tin before filling with earth.

I hadn't planned to plant a pink succulent, I'd wanted to use one of the ice white ones that I'm propagating from a fallen leaf as I thought that'd make a nice contrast to the pink. However when I looked at the leaves, they weren't quite ready and I couldn't quite bring myself to uproot the ice white plant that's still establishing itself in my succulent trug. 

And instead this pink succulent called me.

I added some vermiculite to the top - I think I'd used my grit laying the base for the pizza oven - and that adds a textured addition to the soil, which glistens in the sun and will, I hope help with moisture retention. 

The results though were stunning, a pretty succulent in a pretty tin, and a great garden table decoration that'd look equally good in the conservatory, or well anywhere really.

What do you think?

If you want some more succulent inspiration, why not join me over on my Succulent Love board on Pinterest:

A fleece-covered greenhouse

When I packed up the garden about a month ago that included the greenhouse. But I had a dilemma as I still had plants growing in there. The chillies were still fruiting, and I'd followed dad's example of planting some aloes into the greenhouse bed, but I knew that in our north facing garden they'd be unlikely to thrive, or possibly survive, without some extra help.

When we cleared out the shed and greenhouse in the summer I'd found some horticultural fleece and I wondered if it would help here. So with a nothing ventured, nothing gained approach I set about tucking them in.

And this weekend watering the greenhouse was one of the chores that got me out into the garden. Even though plants will slow down over winter, they still need some water and I was keen to see what was going on under that fleece.

The amaryllis has recovered well, it was in the conservatory and not looking so well. I brought it out into the greenhouse as it seems to like it there, and it's rewarded me by reviving itself.  The aloes were doing well too, but the real find was to discover that my bargain hyacinth bulbs from last year are starting to grow again.

The chillies were doing well and there were some new fruits on the plant, so that has to be a good thing. 

And yes that is a geranium. It's a relative of the ginormous one dad has in his greenhouse, and looking back I can't believe it's two years ago that I first shared the hugest of geraniums here.  The red stemmed plant on the right is a blueberry plant, that's shed its leaves but I'm hoping that's normal.

The succulents were also doing well. The one above - a Pachyphytum, or grey silvery one - has been under the fleece. The ones I propagated from leaves are coming on leaps and bounds and really are looking like proper plants now.  You'd never know how they started off now, would you?

So with everything checked and lightly watered, I tucked it all back up again and edged out of the greenhouse amused by the ghostly shape. But if it works and helps the plants keep going then I'm all for it. Checking the thermometer it's already reached -4 in the greenhouse which seems chilly to me.

I couldn't help but notice the difference in the mind your own business. Inside the greenhouse it was thriving and clearly happy. It put itself there and well it's good to have some spare incase the weather wipes out the rest of this plant. It's a plant I love - partly because of its name, but also because it's a great filler and softens the edges. It has to be used carefully, I'd never plant it in a flowerbed, but along paving and walls it's brilliant. And next time you visit a National Trust or similar garden, look out for it, it's more widespread than you first think.

But outside I think the weather could be starting to get to it. I'm not sure if its the cold or the wet. We'll see how it goes, but at least I know I've got some backup.

Outside the greenhouse I checked my 'spare' brassicas and they're still doing ok. I'm sure they'd do much better in the ground, so remember my allotment to do list, yes these are the ones I need to find space for. There's some curly kale, purple sprouting broccoli and a few more red cabbages, because I don't think you can have too many. And I still can't throw out plants that are growing!

A little sun makes all the difference doesn't it? Especially if you've got a lovely warming fleece on!

The 10 best indoor succulents for your home

You'll already know that I'm a fan of succulents.

You'll have read how I've enthused about my Schlumbergera more commonly known as a Christmas Cactus (or in the infographic below a Thanksgiving Cactus); giggled along with me at the best plant name ever and pottered along with me in the greenhouse as I've tended my Aloes and marvelled as I've propagated new plants from discarded leaves. 

Yes it's safe to say I'm a fan of succulents.

So when UncommonGoods got in touch with their infographic I was interested to know what was on their list.  And I wasn't disappointed. My favourite, the schlumbergera, was in number one spot. Looking through the list it made me realise that part of the reason I like succulents so much are for their names. There's not a plain one among them is there?

I realised too that they appeal to the lazy gardener in me, as they're resilient, hardy and versatile. And they still manage to look pretty. That surely has to be a win-win. If you're not sure where to start with succulents then there's a wealth of information on the type of light they like to how much water, as well as if they're toxic to pets in the infographic. Let me know if this encourages you to get started with succulents, I promise you they really are easy plants to grow and love.

My favourites are on this list, are yours?

This is a collaborative post but all views and opinions are my own.  All images courtesy of UncommonGoods.