Question for anyone, but especially @Gypsi about reasonable spacing when planting in window boxes. How much space would one allocate for each cultivar?




I found these in our garage, today. Two are 24", and four are 30".

I thought it might be better to put the plants from the porch planters in them rather than keeping them in the porch planters, seeing as we've suffered the sun/heat disaster on the porch and several plants have fried to a crisp.

The boxes could be placed on the North side of the house, or under our dogwood trees, and be stable, while the porch planters would be top-heavy and possibly fall over during any wind event due to having a small base.

Also, would it be wise to drill holes in the sides (in a decorative pattern, of course ) to promote more air flow? And how many drain holes should be in the bottom?

I did 4 in each 30 inch box, so about 7.5 inches apart? I did 2 each in short boxes but they are 15 inch I think. will measure in a few minutes, not sure what size my boxes are

Great! That sounds like a very reasonable spacing.
I know the porch planters are planted too close, but I was going for mass and color.
That's not as much of a consideration in the window boxes, and has probably contributed to some of the issues in the porch planters so I'm not going that route any more.

I don't post much these days but I've got many window boxes. I only put 3 varieties in a box. I use to put 4 or 5 but you have to redo this every year. My biggest problem when I first started growing semps was underestimating the growth rate. These are mine.

My routine:

Drainage:



Succulent soil makeup


I plant 3 varieties per box but if you have a semp that you know is really prolific do just that one or better give it its own round container (eg, Karola, Tederheid).

Great instruction photos Connie.

Thanks Lynn. From 2014 I think. Time sure has flown!!

@springcolor and @pardalinum , thank you so much!

Yes, not understanding growth potential is also my problem. (Also not understanding that they don't all grow at the same rate. )

And thank you for mentioning that some are just better by themselves because they're so prolific.

I don't have Karola or Tederheid yet, but it's always helpful to know what's needed if I notice one is super prolific.

Appreciate the input, very much!

when I get time I will have to give my Karola it's own space. and measure my boxes.

I think it depends on the size of the semps.
maybe 4 larger semps but more if the are small or cuttings

So, here they are after a day. I don't know if I'm insane, or what, but they look happier to me, except for the Giants that got a little too much sun today when the shade moved unexpectedly, and a couple in the last picture that may just be too toasted to survive.

They are looking more comfortable in the above photos FPF.

Thank you. Glad I'm not insane. 😉
Makes me optimistic about the others.

I got to thinking about the gutter planting. My daughter couldn't keep strawberries healthy in them. The roots just cooked in her Texas heat and high humidity.

I grew semps and sedum in windowboxes before I moved but I havne't done that for long periods now.

For Hylotelephium I space them 8-12 inches apart depending on variety, with two at the edges. Your semps look well spaced. You could also add small boulders or small upright pavers to prevent extreme crowding.

I'm so glad you reminded me!
I checked it like you suggested, by putting my hand on it, yesterday afternoon when it was still hot (before the big thunderstorm rolled through).
Believe it or not, it was cool to the touch.
I'm going to keep watching it, but I think the biggest difference right now is the woven shade cloth I added last week.
Here are some pictures, and I think most everything except some crispy sedum, rossularia and Red Zinger look pretty happy.
Melanie is really looking happy.




Even Spring Beauty is looking better and I thought she was totally toast:


Steel Appeal:






Neptune:


Miss Manica (not sure that's spelled correctly)

Soft Line has a little farther to go as she got a little crispy, bit chicks still look really good:


I'll keep watching, because what has toasted is enough that I don't want any more to toast and it's only just into June.

sedumzz said: I grew semps and sedum in windowboxes before I moved but I havne't done that for long periods now.

For Hylotelephium I space them 8-12 inches apart depending on variety, with two at the edges. Your semps look well spaced. You could also add small boulders or small upright pavers to prevent extreme crowding.

Thank you! I may end up making a mini crevice garden at some point.

Woah, soft line has a beautiful shape.

I see lots of healthy new leaves coming on.