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Monday, 23 August 2010 09:04

Written by Doug Oster

I've fallen under the spell of succulents. Although they look formidable, only the tiny hair like spines of the white cactus pose a threat to fingertips. I think of them as friendly dinosaurs, rough on the outside, but happy to share a garden together. As the light changes throughout the day the plants transform with the angle of the sun.

They're the only plants I've ever been able to keep alive in strawberry pots. I stole a trick off TV to water them and included it in this video. Every winter I bring them inside; with a monthly watering they happily spend winter on a windowsill.

Not everyone enjoys their charm, but every once and a while a visitor will discover their merits. A friend came over a couple weeks ago and fell in love with the containers, pledging to create her own.

That was the perfect chance to show her "Succulent Container Gardens" by Debra Lee Baldwin. We sat on the sun porch pouring through the lavishly illustrated book. Each page revealed another incredible planting; it was a joy to share it with her. It's a special day when like minded gardeners can spend an hour with a book that thrills them.

Since I'm design impaired, the book is a godsend, filled with gorgeous visuals and prose, Baldwin makes it easy to create masterpieces in the garden.

When my friend asked to borrow the book, I politely declined. This one is a keeper and we all know what happens to good books once they are loaned out.

She has a birthday coming up though, and I know the perfect gift.

Comments (4)

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written by DaveInButler, August 23, 2010 - 11:31 AM

Doug: Great close-up pictures (as usual). Do you do your own photography? If so, what type of equipment do you usually use (camera make/focal length)? Do you generally use just natural light, or a flash?

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written by D_Oster, August 23, 2010 - 04:50 PM

Yes I shoot most of my own pictures for the blog. I started in newspapers as a photographer, then photo editor.
The last few years though, I've been writing more, but I still shoot pictures for most of my PG stories. I'm also having a lot of fun producing videos. You can see them on the blog.
I have a PG issued Nikon D200 with a 60mm macro lens. Sometimes I put on extension tubes to get real close, but not that often.
I rarely use flash, I love soft natural light on overcast days. I like to shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon if it's sunny.
My first love was always taking pictures, but interests change, it's telling gardening stories that thrills me now.

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written by myreply, August 24, 2010 - 10:55 AM

It is said that a "picture is worth a thousand words".

Thank you for your "words".

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written by D_Oster, August 24, 2010 - 11:09 AM

Thanks, that's nice of you to say. I like doing it.

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