Hi Semp lovers! This is an impressive forum. I am really a newbie to semps. I have had a few over the years, but most don't make it. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

I have several questions:

1) Is there a forum or thread about making hypertufa containers for semps? I need advice.

2) Where can I get info about growing semps in FL zone 9b. We do get rain and lots of hot sun throughout the year. Do they need shade during the summer? (The semps would probably love our mild Winters here.)

3) I want to create a miniature garden and add some semps. Should I plant them directly in the miniature landscape container or keep them in their smaller pots and just bury the pots in the miniature container landscape?

4) What are the best red/pink semps? Or your favorites? I am really attracted to those colors and would love to have some around my garden areas.

5) I want to do a wreath and a picture frame semp garden (both that I can hang vertically). What would be the best semps to use for such an endeavor? And what size?

6) Which are the most prolific semps?

7) Which semps can take the most abuse and still survive? I say this because of our soil, our temps, and rainfall annually.

I want to start using more of them around my garden beds. I also saw on another thread that someone is making a cinder block wall planter. I love, love, love that idea! But would it be too hot here to use for semps? They need sun, but not heat? Good drainage, but weekly watering?

I am totally clueless as to how to grow these plants!

Hi Becky, I am not an expert so I'm calling out to others to help with you questions - all good questions!
I have found these plants want to be outdoors, and yes in your area I'm sure they'd prefer morning sun, then shaded somewhat in afternoon.
@valleylynn, @jungleshadows, @goldfinch4
Welcome to the semps and sedum forum!

Welcome Becky

I have been browsing to see if I could find the picture of the Block Beds this forum moderator- ValleyLynn (aka Lynn) has created for her semps.
But then she has a real obsession. I will find it and post it here for your inspiration.
Here is an old one. I know there was a recent but cannot seem to find.
The thread "Hybridizing Clinic with Kevin Vaughn" in Sempervivum forum


There does not seem to be one thread for hypertufa but in he container forum you will find cloth and cement which is another variation on the theme.
Here is an article written by Chris (goldfinch4) about Hypertufa.
http://garden.org/ideas/view/g...

Hi Becky, good to see you here in the Sempervivum Forum.

5.) @webesemps could give you advice on which ones might be best in the frames. Goldfinch4 (Chris) has done a number of the wreathes, she would have great suggestions on which ones might do best for that project.

Let me get back to you on the other questions. I have to make a trip to town. Be back soon.

Oh and Becky, item 7.
I am no expert but from my experience it is a trial and error thing ... finding the best semp for your micro climate.
I have found that what grows well for the PNW or Wisconsin my not do well in my area. As painful as it is you just have to try some until you find some tough ones. Look around in the gardens of others and at Botanical/Nursery centers and ask questions of growers in your area.

Good luck - it is a good idea to keep a smile on your face even if all your semps give it up at the end of a season, you have enjoyed them for the time they were with you and you learn something each time. Or so I have found.

Greg, Marilyn, and Lynn - Thank you for the welcome!

Hmmmm ... being alpine plants, I wonder if they will survive here in FL climate? Maybe that is why I lost the ones I had before? Gosh! That would be a bummer, as I really like them. If anyone on this forum is from the south, I would love to hear what they have to say about growing the semps here in this climate.

They really do need a winter dormancy period to stay healthy. But like Marilyn said, you can treat them as annuals.
And who knows, you may find some that will carrying on for you from one year to the next.

Becky, my offer still stands, if you'd just like to try a few to see how they work, I'd be happy to send you a few for free.

Chris - Thank you so much for your very kind and generous offer. I would rather not kill a perfectly good plant, so I think I will grow something else instead of semps for those projects I was interested in doing. I'll figure something out.

And thanks to everyone here for your help!