Pretty racy title, eh?

Actually a “succulent pillow” is what we’re calling a display currently in the Sunken Garden. It’s a project horticulturist Shannon Smith has been working on—I learned about it as I tagged along on a tour given by garden guide extraordinaire Linda Miller the other day.

The “pillow” is a form made from chicken wire and filled with sphaghnum moss. Then succulent plants are tucked in and can grow—it’s the same concept as a living wreath (which may be more familiar).

Aren’t succulents fun? The colors and textures—I had to take a few detail shots. And I just love some of the names, like the first one below:

Sedum Burro’s Tail

Sempervivum ‘Branunii’

‘Aloevera’ Aloe (tall spiky plant); Delosperma ‘Kelaidis’ (the one with the flowers); Echeveria runyonii ‘Topsey Turvey’

This looks like fun and something I could even try at home. This particular display requires full sun and you have to be careful not to water too much—Shannon was explaining some rain a few weeks ago had been a challenge.

Let me know if you’d like to learn more about how to make a succulent pillow and I can include in a future blog.

Beth Monroe is public relations director at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden .

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