Master Gardener Volunteer Series: Growing Cold-Hardy Succulents
By Carol Sitarski, Master Gardener Volunteer Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County
Have you ever thought of growing succulents in your garden all year round? It sounds like an impossible task, but it’s possible!
Probably you know about houseleeks (Sempervivum), they are the perfect example for cold hardy succulents, but I’m not talking only about houseleeks, we have more options for upstate New York. The ones I am writing about in this article are sedum, euphorbias, and even cacti which can take our cold winters.
I started a large succulent garden two years ago and am amazed at the changing colors and plant shapes every day. The reason I did it was my concern for global warming and water conservation. Another nice thing about succulents is that they are slow growers, and they don’t get too tall either. Some varieties can even grow in Zone 4 (in case you want to know your zone, search online “USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map”). My plants include Euphorbia Bonfire, Sedum Thunderhead, and Sempervivum Golden.
Succulents are extremely draught-tolerant and not easily attacked by garden pests. Right now, the colors in my garden go from deep purple to bright green, yellow, almost chocolate, and chartreuse. When the weather gets cold the colors will change again which is another plus, especially when most plants are finished for the year.
Gold nugget, Big Wheely, plus two cacti, Opuntia (prickly pear), and Echinocereus (hedgehog cactus) flower in late spring and are slow spreaders. Another plus is pollinators flock to the flowers.
Caring for them is simple, no need to spray pesticides, and no need to fertilize often, only during their active growing season, use slow-release fertilizers high in potassium, such as tomato fertilizer or a specialist cacti fertilizer. Why potassium? A moderate potassium level is important to support the succulent's ability to withstand drought conditions and maintain a good balance of water in its leaves.
Succulents are not picky, they just need a few requirements, one of them is good drainage with some gravel or sand added to the soil and small stone or pebble mulching around the plants, but no winter covering is necessary. You can obtain them through garden catalogs, online, and some garden nurseries are now offering them. Check plant information to make sure plants are for at least Zone 4 - 5.
I do have a word of warning which I learned the hard way about planting cacti. Make sure to wear garden gloves and use kitchen thongs while handling them or you will get lots of almost invisible glochids (tiny spines) in your skin which are difficult to remove, these are not the larger spines easily seen.
If you are looking for xeriscaping (water-conserving garden) or just bringing succulents to your garden, these cold-hardy succulents are a great way to start. If something goes wrong with your garden or for more gardening information on this or other gardening questions, contact your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office, the educators and Master Gardeners will be happy to help you.
