GERALD FILIPSKI

am always on the lookout for multifunctional plants . Gardeners are always asking if there is a plant that they can put out onto a patio table in the summer , but will look just as good on a coffee table in the winter . To me , plants that can serve a purpose indoors as well as out are a great idea . There are such plants and they are called succulents . They are equally at home indoors and out and look good all year round .

Just what is a succulent ? These are plant species that have adapted to the arid climates of deserts and semi-deserts . Many of these habitats are associated with high daytime temperatures . Succulents have special mechanisms that have evolved to collect and conserve the limited moisture that is available , sometimes only from dews , mists and fogs . They get their name from their ability to store nourishing materials — particularly water — in their leaves , stems or roots . Within the plants themselves are specially formed spongy cells that have adapted to retain water . It is these cells that give the plants their characteristic ‘ fleshy ’ appearance .

This ability to undergo the stress of times of drought make them ideal for the gardener who sometimes forgets to give plants a drink . Overwatering is one of the easiest ways to kill a succulent . During the growing season , it is best to let the soil dry out between waterings . During the winter months , it is best to water infrequently , if

at all . The beauty of these plants is that if they are getting stressed over a lack of water they will let you know by drooping and wrinkling their leaves . Give them a drink and they bounce right back up .

Another desirable feature of these plants is their inability to tolerate humidity . On the prairies , where indoor air in the winter is often very dry , these plants love it . Their preference is for as much light as possible such as in a south-facing window and for the area to be well ventilated . Some of these plants do require a period of winter dormancy , so place them in a cool spot ( 15 º C ) during the winter months . Sometimes that cool spot could be nothing more than being close to a window — but not too close as these plants are susceptible to cold damage .

Succulents prefer a well-drained soil mix . If you are mixing your own soil , coarse sand , perlite and organic materials make good additions to the mix for succulents . Plant succulents in a mixture of two parts coarse sand or perlite , one part organic material and one part garden soil .

In the spring , once all danger of frost has passed , you can move these plants , pots and all , outdoors and leave them there for the whole summer . They can create areas of interest on their own or when grouped with other plants .

An advantage of using succulents in your outdoor landscaping plans is that they grow well in very little soil . This means they will not add a

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