Succulent Garden
Suzie Forge is an interior decorator who loves colour and texture. She has put her decorating skills to good use in her small Melbourne courtyard, which has been ‘furnished’ with a variety of colourful succulents and cacti. Suzie has used the plants to create a tapestry-like effect, reminiscent of rich fabrics, wallpapers and embroidery. Succulents are easy-care, low maintenance plants, as long as they are provided with a sunny position and good drainage.
Succulent mound
The focal point of the paved courtyard is a circular, mounded garden bed filled with succulents. The planting features hybrid echeverias such as ‘Blue Curl’ as well as the old favourites ‘Golden Glow’ and Echeveria imbricata. Pride of place at the top is taken by a chunky red foliaged echeveria called ‘Zorro’, which also produces red, bell-shaped flowers in winter. Spaces between the succulents are filled with purple flowering alyssum.
Recycled containers
Succulents in containers are used as focal points and fun pieces throughout the garden. An old wire bassinet is planted with hen-and-chickens (Echeveria glauca). Succulents are planted in recycled grain sieves, metal drainage baskets, pig feeding troughs and even a rusty truck hubcap rescued from a rubbish collection.
‘Succulence’
Suzie is so enthusiastic about succulents and cacti that she and her business partner, Damian Brady, have recently opened an exciting new shop in a refurbished scout hall in Melbourne. They describe the shop as a ‘succulent gallery’ – mainly selling plants and some framed decorations.
Further information
‘Succulence’
27 Lynch Street
Hawthorn Victoria 3122
Phone: (03) 9818 5900
Open: Wednesday – Sunday 10 – 4.30pm
Suzie Forge’s stunning garden is featured in the November issue of the Burke’s Backyard magazine, available at newsagents for $4.80.