Find out about the best way to include the cactus trend in your garden, for a spiky but beautiful aesthetic.
The succulent trend is growing and growing, with all kinds of cacti cropping up in households across the country.
Whether you display them in a fashionable three-legged pot, in an old teacup, or as a living art piece that reaches the ceiling, the fact is that they will likely add to your aesthetic in a genuinely positive way.
You can even get cacti print on cushions, crockery, towels and art if you want to go all out.
So we know that succulents work indoors, but what about in the garden? Cacti originate from naturally scorching environments which don’t suggest they will do too well in a UK garden.
Are succulents out of the question when it comes to a UK backyard?
Actually, no. Yay!
Steps To Bring The Succulent Trend Into Your Garden
Let’s take a look at how you can bring the succulent trend to your backyard:
Prepare The Aesthetic
OK, we know that growing succulents isn’t all about how they look, but it is a bit.
The cacti aesthetic is so beautiful that it makes sense to ensure your garden is going to be the perfect backdrop for your new spiky additions.
To prepare your garden for succulents and cacti consider:
- Decluttering
- Getting the patio or decking in shape
- Cutting back overgrown plants
- Painting the decking or fence a bright colour
- Making a cacti preparation area
Utilise Containers
One of the easiest ways to grow succulents in a UK garden is in containers.
The cold and soggy UK winter can destroy succulents, so keeping them in free-draining pots is a great way to keep them healthy.
Also, if the winter is exceptionally harsh, you should quickly bring the plants inside to protect them from frost and snow.
Pot Them In The Right Soil
Cacti must be potted in the right type of soil.
A loamy soil mixed with grit and fine gravel, plus something like coir, will help ensure your cactus can thrive in your backyard.
Try & Protect Succulents From Incessant Rain
If you can, try to protect your succulents from constant rain!
They won’t do well with lots of continuous soaking so, if you can place them under the decking shelter, they will like that setting.
Choose Hardy Garden Varieties Of Succulents
Although any cacti can do well in the garden with the right care, there are hardy varieties that do particularly well.
Sedums and sempervivums are particularly robust types that don’t even need to be brought inside in winter.
Echeveria is a good next step once you have the hang of the sedum and sempervivums, and they also happen to be particularly stunning too.
Add Frost Protection
You should ensure your plants have some level of frost protection in winter if you plan to keep them outside. Placed in a greenhouse or polytunnel, and they should be fine.
You don’t need a particularly sophisticated setup, just some level of insulation for the plants that keeps them safe from harsh winter conditions.
When it comes to putting succulents and cacti in your home or garden, it’s a good idea to take your time and get to know each plant before you spend lots of money.
Succulents and cacti are a great hobby, but it can be so sad when they don’t make it, especially when their deaths could have been prevented!
Take your time selecting your plants and look for local adds for cheap or free varieties from other growers.
Local growers may have some great tips to help you successfully grow succulents in your garden.
What If Succulents Can’t Work In My Garden?
Succulents and cacti are generally unsuitable for the UK winter, or an unusually wet summer, without help from you to protect them.
If you want to add some beautiful plants to your garden that are more acclimated to the UK, there are lots of options available to you.
Best Succulent Alternatives
For that exotic look associated with succulents, there are some incredible plants you may want to add to your garden including:
Trachycarpus Fortunei
This plant looks like a palm tree crossed with a fan, and it makes for a real centrepiece in any garden.
Dryopteris Filipinos-Mas
For those Jurassic Park vibes, a male fern like the Dryopteris is an excellent choice.
It is a fern that is exceptionally hardy, although it hates direct sunlight so ensure it has some sun protection.
Carex Comans
Carex Comans is a type of grass that can come in a wide range of colours.
It brings some beautiful texture to an outdoor space and fills a lot of room so works well if you want a plant with a significant impact.
Gunnera
Gunnera is also known as prickly rhubarb and looks incredibly prehistoric.
It grows enormous leaves and survives well in wet, soggy ground other plants can struggle. The Gunnera is a rare cactus to grow on your decking if you want privacy.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a gorgeous exotic-looking plant that is extremely easy to grow.
Just be careful to keep its roots within parameters, or it will spread itself out across your garden.
Conclusion
You can find some fantastic inspiration for an exotic garden with plants other than succulents here.
Sometimes it can be a case of trial and error, and seeking inspiration, to create the perfect exotic garden.
Wezaggle Team!
Experiment with plant types, pots, baskets, planters, fence colours and other aspects of the garden to create an outdoor aesthetic that works well for you.
Hopefully, our ideas above have helped you feel a little bit more able to include the succulent and cactus trend in your garden. If you would like even more tips about creating a beautiful garden, please check out the large Wezaggle garden section of the blog.