#echeveria

This is my weird echeveria succulent. Usually I prune these guys, then when they get a little "leggy" I chop the top off and replant it, just to keep it nice and compact and pretty. Last fall, I decided to let this one do whatever it was to do without interfering. It's grown tall, it's weird, and it's got some really cool, unexpected growth happening at the bottom of the stem. And I love it, it's one of my most loved succulents.

Taking a mindful moment with my beloved plant, I reflect on how it is like my spiritual journey. In the past I would prune my life, sometimes chopping away parts of myself to replant where I thought I was supposed to be. Keeping my beliefs all nice and compact and pretty. My life was not mine, I was not living in a way that was really me. Now I am on this journey, I am growing, I am weird, and I've got a lot of really cool and unexpected growth happening. It's not always easy, but it is amazing. I am loving who I am and the things I am learning about myself. Things have been really difficult and stressful lately, I have had days of panic, I do not know the direction I am going in or what will happen. But I know that as I grow I will face what comes and not lose who I am.

i'm back...!!!

been going through a lot of crazy health stuff since i forgot abt this account but! I wanna start doing this again cuz it was fun...

Above images from Mountain Crest Gardens.

Today's plant is Ceropegia Woodii, more commonly known as String of Hearts. I'm focusing on specifically the variegated variety of this plant as it's my Favorite plant ever. Ever.

The variegated form of this plant is most characteristically known for its distinctive pink margins around the pretty little heart-shaped leaves, that get pinker and pinker the more sun exposure they receive!

These plants are known as "semi-succulents", meaning they store a lot of water in their leaves but can't survive extended drought like an echeveria or cactus would be able to, and are native to South Africa.

They typically bloom (like most succulents) in late summer to early fall, with these weird little alien-bell looking flowers! I think their blooms are so interesting, like no other plant i've seen blooms like this.

I actually had sought out this plant for YEARRSS like since i got into plants when i was like 13, and finally got my first one about 3 years ago!!! She grew sooo long and gorgeous but unfortunately has since died due to my health issues i mentioned earlier 😔 but i will try again someday !!! Persevere in the face of hardship or whatever teehee.

Ideas for a mid-sized, drought-tolerant, summertime stone garden path in a backyard with full sun.

Echeveria cante × subrigida

This striking Echeveria is a hybrid done by Garden Manager & Assistant Curator Walker Young. Its parents are related species from Mexico, and Walker thought that by crossing them he might gain some hybrid vigor and get a plant better able to withstand our winter cold and wet (both parents, like most species of Echeveria, come from summer-rainfall areas). So far, it looks like we have a winner!