Meet the newest centerpiece of my Raised Bed Garden space!  

In case you didn’t already know, I am a succulent l.o.v.e.r.!

I think it might be the architectural elements that I’m drawn to, or the beautiful rich colors, or the fact that each new variety I discover is just a little bit more awesome than the last.  Whatever the case, I can never pass up buying one when I see it.  I’ve amassed quite the stockpile, so I decided to put them to good use and create this twist on the traditional water fountain.

I used cascading varieties such as donkey tail, string of pearls, and string of figs, to create a flowing water-like effect.  

 Succulents are a timeless plant and I love that they have made such a strong comeback.  I was introduced to them by my paternal grandmother.  She had quite the green thumb and grew hoards of prolific donkey tail.  What I would give to see them again and sit and talk succulents with her now.  

Here is how to make our own succulent fountain.  It will be a wonderful feature in your garden that you can enjoy year after year.

Begin by preparing the ground where your fountain will sit.  Make sure your ground is level and firm.  Once filled, this fountain will be heavy and impossible to move so ensure that it will be stable.  I suggest setting the base on a concrete foundation or pavers.

Place the bottom bowl on the base and level.  Use shims to make sure it is level.  Continue with the next base and bowl, leveling the structure after each addition.

Add pea gravel or other small rock to the bottom of each bowl.  This helps with water drainage and helps the succulents from getting water-logged after a heavy rain or watering.

Add the soil.  I used Miracle Gro’s Cactus Blend.  It is great for succulents as it is fast-draining and keeps the succulent roots from getting over-saturated, which can cause the plants to die.

Start by adding the largest succulents to the bottom base.  I only had two rather large succulents (1 gallon) so I strategically placed them opposite each other in the bottom bowl.  **Kid helping hands alert**

Next, add your cascading succulents in all three tiers.  Envision how they will look once growing and stagger them so the flows are random and natural looking.

Take the rest of your succulents and place them around the tiers, mixing in the different varieties and hues.  The beauty with this type of garden is the diversity in texture and colors.  The variations on green are endless!

Of course I used an echeverria in the tiny top planter.  Can’t wait for it to grow and overtake the crown of the fountain!

There ya have it!  Great focal point for the new Raised Bed Garden, don’t you think?

If you live in an area that freezes, make sure that you take precautions and cover the fountain with a canvas or large sheet to protect from the frost.  You can also add outdoor lights to help with adding a little heat to the area.  

Water the garden sparingly as succulents do not need much water.  

Enjoy!