Hey GPODers!
A brand new editor is on the helm of Backyard Picture of the Day, and I need to take the chance to (type of) formally introduce myself. My title is Kaitlyn Hayes, and I’ve been working with Superb Gardening behind the scenes for a number of years in digital content material manufacturing—although you could have seen my title sprinkled throughout the web site or gracing the pages of the journal right here or there.
I grew up round girls who liked to backyard. I spent most summers deadheading annuals with my mother or selecting the largest tomatoes from my grandmother’s beds. I’ve all the time held an amazing appreciation and love for vegetation massive and small, however I additionally all the time stated that the inexperienced thumb in my household should have skipped a technology. Yr after yr I’d attempt to maintain all number of vegetation alive, however with no success. I gave up hope of having fun with my very own gardening endeavors till I started working at Superb Gardening and, with a brand new wealth of information, determined to offer vegetation one other go.
This was additionally across the similar time that I purchased a camper van and began taking months-long journeys throughout North America whereas I used to be working remotely. These two worlds collided, which led me to my newfound love of cacti and succulents. Their low-maintenance wants and the numerous varieties which can be sluggish rising enable me to take my inexperienced treasures on the highway whereas making certain they’ll survive and gained’t outgrow my restricted house.
With that being stated, I’ve rapidly amassed a set that’s rising past camper-van capability. Beneath are simply a few of my favorites, new and outdated. If anybody is . . . they’re largely effectively behaved, and I may actually use a plant sitter!
Crassula ‘Child’s Necklace’ – a brand new addition that has rapidly turn into my newest obsession. The trailing, beefy foliage is a lot extra attention-grabbing that string-of-pearls (Curio rowleyanus, syn. Senecio rowleyanus) or Burro’s-tail (Sedum morganianum) (for my part), however they’re ten-times extra hardy and gained’t drop to the ground with the slightest contact.
A shot of ‘Child’s Necklace’ from above captures the deeper coloration that emerges on the guidelines of some leaves.
I’ve had this silver squill (Ledebouria socialis) for just a few years now and it stays a favourite. I used to be immediately intrigued by the above-ground bulbs after I first bought the plant, and it stays on the high of the pack for the numerous tiny flowers that bloom each single yr.
An in depth up of a number of the tiny flowers on show this yr.
I really like recycling and using unconventional containers for my indoor vegetation, and typically the container helps a plant turn into a brand new favourite. This pencil cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) match completely in an outdated candle jar. After very rigorously drilling some holes within the backside with a diamond-tipped drill bit, it grew to become the right dwelling for this peculiar plant.
Bear’s paw (Cotyledon tomentosa) is a more moderen addition that I can’t assist poking in any respect day. I’ve by no means been so tempted to carry a bear’s hand till I gave a pinch to certainly one of these fuzzy, succulent leaves. The lovable pink duck I used to be in a position to pot it in does give it some bonus factors, however the unbelievable progress its had over just some months would have had it on the high of my listing both method.
Honorable mentions to a few of my hardest warriors: Snake vegetation, a cash tree (Pachira aquatica), and ladyfinger cactus (Mammillaria elongata). I’ve had these vegetation the longest and all have survived varied strategies of abuse and neglect (AKA surviving the lengthy drives from Connecticut to Vancouver and again).
And my last characteristic for at the moment is an oldie, however goodie. My outdated man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis) by no means fails to place a smile on my face. Everybody ought to have at the least one plant that appears as kooky because it sounds.
If you want to see a number of the adventures I take with my plant companions, test me out on Instagram: @agirlherdogandtheroad
And as all the time, please share your backyard treasures with us! The e-mail and course of to submit stays the identical (see directions under).
Have a backyard you’d prefer to share?
Have pictures to share? We’d like to see your backyard, a specific assortment of vegetation you like, or a beautiful backyard you had the prospect to go to!
To submit, ship 5-10 pictures to [email protected] together with some details about the vegetation within the footage and the place you took the pictures. We’d love to listen to the place you’re situated, how lengthy you’ve been gardening, successes you’re happy with, failures you discovered from, hopes for the long run, favourite vegetation, or humorous tales out of your backyard.
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