Colorful succulents tucked into a pretty piece of driftwood make to get a long-lasting centerpiece which brings the beauty of nature inside. To make this piece, I implanted exotic succulents and tillandsias in a piece of driftwood I discovered on the beach in Washington. Notice how I did it and how you can make your own miniature driftwood backyard beneath.
Pictures by Beki Dawn Photography
Singing Gardens
Singing Gardens
Materials:Driftwood bits (natural, well-dried driftwood is milder than average lumber, and you won’t need to worry about pest issues). Start looking for pieces which will sit well on a level surface.Succulents (sedum, Echeveria, Crasssula). I utilized 2-inch pots (the smallest succulent container size readily available in a retail store); if you are using succulent cuttings, be sure the stems are at least two inches. Tillandsias (optional)Succulent and palm potting mix or organic compacted coconut husk (simply add water to expand the cube) Sphagnum moss
Singing Gardens
Tools and safety gear:
Electric drillDrill bits of varying diameters, preferably two inches (to match the succulent container size)plastic or decorative chopstickMaskGlovesBucketWear gloves throughout the process, especially when managing sphagnum moss, and wear a mask if you are allergic to dust and mold.
Prior to starting, soak dried sphagnum moss in a bucket of water for five to 10 minutes. Ring the excess water out.
Singing Gardens
Singing Gardens
Organize a couple of different types of succulents, still in their baskets, to the driftwood until you drill, taking into account the driftwood size and contour. Try to use present cavities to make as normal a look as possible.
Once you are content with the arrangement, trace the base of the nursery pot containers on to the driftwood with a pencil as a guide for where to drill. Drill slowly into the driftwood, about two inches deep, making sure to not drill all the way through the bottom. Continue drilling until each of the cavities are formed.
Singing Gardens
Put the potting mix or coconut husk in the base of each hole.
Singing Gardens
Carefully remove succulents in the toddlers and place them in the cavities. If you are using succulent cuttings, be sure that you have about two inches of stem in each cutting, so it’s tall enough to put.
Dipping them into rooting hormone or cinnamon powder isn’t essential, but you are able to do this in the event that you would like to speed up the rooting process.
Singing Gardens
Continue filling in the cavities with succulents.
Singing Gardens
There’ll be some loose spaces involving the soil and the succulents.
Tear modest pieces of moist sphagnum moss and put it in the spaces with a chopstick. Continue filling in till the succulents are snug and secure.
Trim round the dangling sphagnum moss or press it back into the cavities therefore it doesn’t reveal — or simply leave it in case you prefer a more natural moss look.
Singing Gardens
After all is set up, water thoroughly so that the soil in the driftwood becomes wet. It is possible to use diluted organic fertilizer, but it’s not necessary.
The succulents will not need additional adhesives if they are tightly secured. Once the plants have taken root in their new soil, you can even hang your arrangement vertically.
Singing Gardens
This driftwood structure is perfect for indoors or outdoors and will last much more than normal flower arrangements. (I’ve had my succulents for over six months with minimal care and water in San Diego.) If the succulents grow too big for the driftwood, you can take them out and plant them in the floor.
This driftwood structure can also be great for backyard parties, bunch and housewarming presents, birthday parties, hanging gardens, container gardens, vertical gardens and upcycled house and garden projects.
More ideas for container gardens