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How to Make a Brick Succulent Garden

Almost a month ago, we posted a picture on our Facebook page of a succulent garden that was planted in a small concrete cinder block wall.  We took the picture at the EPCOT Flower and Garden show that was presented by HGTV.

Since that time, we have had a few questions as to how it was done. We didn't know, so we went and asked the garden experts at the show. They gave us a step-by-step on how they created the garden focal point - allowing us to share that knowledge with our awesome customers and anybody else who would want to add this fun feature to their landscape.

Step 1

Lay bottom course of concrete blocks, angling blocks occasionally to make plant pockets.

Step 2

Lay second course "stair step", so cells at the end of bottom course are exposed. Angle blocks occasionally to make plant pockets, but not directly over bottom plant pockets.

Step 3

Lay top course similar to others.

Step 4

Once you are happy with the design, remove sections and glue together with outdoor adhesive or mortar. Weight top cells with extra blocks until cured.

Step 5

Drive metal stakes through open cells and into ground, every 2-3 blocks, Partially fill staked cells with mortar if you need extra stability.

Step 6

Push a piece of hardware cloth (chicken wire will do) into the bottom of an open cell to hold up plants. Glue the wire in place with an outdoor adhesive.

Step 7

Cut a piece of landscape fabric to fit and lay it on top of the hardware cloth to hold in the soil. Use the outdoor adhesive to hold this in place as well.

Step 8

Fill the open cells with lightweight potting soil mix and plant with succulents or other drought-tolerant species of plants.

Step 9

Sit back and enjoy the wonderful new addition to your landscape.

 

 

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4/27/2012 3:45 PM
What a woderful idea! I am thinking of giving it a go and maybe only change is I might seal bottom of one of the top rows and run a 1/2 tube and make a bird bath or maybe a mini waerfall!

Love you Mr. L
4/27/2012 11:32 PM
That is a cool idea! But instead of succulents, I think it would be cool to try with drought-tolerant flowers, or even herbs (but have to keep them watered). Thyme would look cool growing down over the sides.
4/28/2012 9:27 PM
Thanks for this wonderful idea.thanks to you guys I have a wonderful brick garden on a table outside off my window.
4/28/2012 9:29 PM
Beautiful flowers at Epcot. Did mr.landscaper provide any of the drip irrigation systems for epcot?
4/28/2012 9:30 PM
@ rock607@att.net.          Wonderful idea on the birdbath!
4/29/2012 10:31 AM
Great idea!  I'm trying to think of a way to add this to my landscape.  

@computeraddict04 - herbs would be great in this - even small veggie plants like peppers
4/30/2012 7:57 AM
@rock607@att.net   Ya, when we saw it it was inspiring. I like the idea of a bird bath, ohhh and the waterfall. I was thinking of making an L shape and turning it into a bench. Get a nice piece of wood and extend it out from one end. Just a thought. Keep the ideas coming though.

Sarah
Mr L Marketing team
4/30/2012 8:01 AM
@Teacup50 I wish we provided the Irrigation for the flowers. What is funny is that they ship most of it from California for the show because HGTV is based there. What's even funnier is in their Land exhibit boat ride, where they show people all of the new technology in growing plants sustainable, our products are all over the place. Check under the trees and you might see a familiar site of a stake or two sticking out of the ground.

Sarah
Mr L Team
4/30/2012 3:58 PM
Interesting concept.  I love to see the creative use of alternative materials.  I wonder if the cinder blocks would show mineral stains due to water wicking through over time though.
5/3/2012 12:23 PM
@TorchDesignergirl

I bet a garden feature with a bench like that would be cool, or even build something like this around a swingset and let some vining plants like Mandevilla grow up on the swing supports. For an herb or edible garden, pole beans would work.

Even more interesting if you add some landscape lightning to make it look just as impressive at night