I made a visit some years back to Squaw Mountain. I went to the register to pay for the plants I picked out. He stood there looking at them and finally decided to say something. Very cute. He told me if I had my heart set on big I could have them. Then he explained that almost everyone I chose would bloom that summer and die. If I went back and chose the same varieties in younger plants I would have them producing chicks for several years before they bloomed and died. Well I took his advice. Meanwhile one that I got at Walmart (big and beautiful) produces a few chicks for me that summer, bloomed and died. He helped me learn a very important leason. Very knowledgable people that own and operate the business. That is what they do, hybridize, grow and sell nothing but these kind of plants. That's all. : )

How very nice of them it was to tell you that, too.

They are good people. I placed a large order with them last Oct. Even though that is not a good time of the year to be starting them out in the garden, I didn't lose a one. They came very health, small and are ready to take off once our weather warms. It's the babies shown in the Database here. It is so interesting to see how different they are looking in color and shape at the end of Winter. Come Spring weather and they will go through a dramatic change in both color and size. So much fun.

If Lynn would like a wreath forum here I'd be happy to post my instructions. It looks like Diana (Greenfield) used a different type of form than I did so it would be great if she could also post her instructions.

You got it Chris. I will go make one. Great idea.

Okay, the new Wreath Forum is ready for you to start teaching us Chris. And thank you so much for doing this.

Thanks. It may be this weekend before I get enough time though. Its fun to come up with new ways to use semps because they multiply so fast.

I want a turtle. how do you make a turtle??? I love them all.

Hi Charleen, The turtle is my favorite too. I actually ended up making 7 of them!

The directions for making a turtle will be the same as for making a wreath. I hope to have that tutorial done soon. I didn't make the framework. I paid $9 for the pre-stuffed frame. I thought my time and the materials would be well worth that. Unfortunately the company I got them from doesn't look they like sell the frames only any more....they sell them finished, including the plants, and they're quite expensive. They might still sell them if you contact them, but they're not showing them on their website. The company is Topiary Art Works.

They're really easy to make.

Lovely turtles Chris! Looking forward to your tutorial...


Hi Charleen! Hi Lynn!

Thanks Joyce! I was surprised how much it filled in during the summer. Wish I would have taken another picture.

I have the tutorial up now.

Hello, Joyce we seems to all travel in the same circle. Isn't that nice to be with friends to enjoy our love of plants and ideas to create new gardens and plant thingies. Like Turtles. Chris I am looking forward to your tutorials. Maybe I can make my own turtle. I know I can,
Can you tell it's a turtle? Just got to enlarge it. Maybe use a heavier wire. Maybe I can do a mini turtle with sedum.

We need a link, Chris.

Charleen, that frame is great! I really like the eyes on it. Just make sure you leave enough space between the wires so you can tuck plants in it. Sedum works great. I did a rabbit and covered it in thyme and that worked good too.

I put a link in the tutorial....thanks for the reminder!

Put a link on this thread Chris, so we can click on and go there. Thank you, I made the frame from copper wire. Will have to get a heavier wire to put the mosses in .

Oops - I thought you meant a link to Topiary Art Works. Here is the tutorial:
The thread "How to Make Succulent Wreaths and Topiary" in Containers forum

Goldfinches Wreath Forum is up and running. Ready to start creating and posting your pictures. Goldfinch would you post your wreath pictures over there
Joannabanna, Greenfield and Katg, could you posts yours in the new Wreath Forum.
Katg, we can't wait to see the after planting of the flamingo.
This is going to be so much fun. Need to get out in the garage and start creating.

Okay, I have a bunch more entries done for the Semp & Jovibarba databases. If you have some names varieties, get on out there and take some pictures to post in the database.

I posted new winter/spring photos of the semps I have. They are in the database now, some of them really show a very big difference in appearance since last fall pictures. Will add another series of photos this summer so we can all see the transformation each goes through. Here is the link. http://cubits.org/sedumandsemp...

Never realized there was so many Hen and chicks. How many are winter hardy?? Here is what I have I had the labels but I don't know where they are. Got some new pens to try out. to see if sun-proofed.