Another visit to Sweetstuff’s Sassy Succulents

Candice Suter is one of the nicest, kindest and warmest people you’ll ever meet. She’s also one of the most succulent-obsessed, and proud of it. Known far and wide for her blog and Facebook page “Sweetstuff’s Sassy Succulents,” Candy has amassed an amazing collection of succulents at her home in Roseville, California. Her expertise and dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Next Monday morning, she’ll be featured on live TV here in the Sacramento metro area. Keep an eye on her Facebook page for more info.

It’s been three year since I first blogged about Candy’s garden—high time for an update!

This summer Candy and her husband Stan removed a lawn area in front their house. This is what it looked like before (the Google Maps image is from 2012 before the house was painted):

And this is what it looks like now:

Candy replaced the lawn with—what else!—succulents.

The project isn’t quite finished yet, but let’s take a closer look.

Candy created two semi-circular raised areas defined by low stacked-stone retaining walls.

I love how these rock walls add visual interest to what would otherwise be a flat expanse.

Candy is toying with the idea of scattering California poppy seeds among the succulents in the very front. I can already envision the explosion of orange in the spring!

From a distance this area may look sparsely planted, but it isn’t. There is a quite a variety of succulents, ranging from the cacti to bush sedums to aloes and agaves.

In addition, there are several half-buried pots chock-full of multi-hued succulents.

Still left to do: planting the ‘Desert Museum’ palo verde (Parkisonsia ‘Desert Museum’) you see in the next photo.

Boston terrier Scout is never far from the action!

As you can see in the next two photos, there is actually quite a bit of room left for planting.

Here’s my contribution to Candy’s front yard project. Dropping off these plants was the real reason for my visit yesterday.

But what would a visit to Sweetstuff HQ be without a look at Candy’s other garden areas!

Echeveria bed to the right of the front door:

Narrow planting strip leading up to the front door:

A baker’s rack next to the front door holds a collection of designer pots that make you smile.

My favorites are these pieces by Sacramento-area potter Connie Esquibel:

Now let’s walk around the house into the backyard.

The first thing I noticed was this clever arrangement of metal pots right inside the gate. I may need to copy this idea!

Candy’s potting bench is a dream. I can’t believe how big it is! Check out her post about it.

In the backyard, there are succulents in metal stock tanks, in raised beds along the fence, and of course under the two shade gazebos.

Check out these massive prickly pears…

…and this mature desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri). In the next photo, Candy is holding this year’s flower stalk. One yank and it came right off.

I’ve long admired this clump of Agave parryi var. truncata, and Candy gave me the largest of the potted pups to take home. (“Pup” sounds funny, considering how big it is!)

This panorama gives you a better idea of the lay of the land:

The area immediately adjacent to the house is chock full of plants…

…as are the gazebos.

I’ve joked that Candy could open a backyard nursery with the hundreds, possibly even thousands, of succulents she has!

There are beautiful vignettes wherever you look.

Candy has a great eye for combining color and texture in the most beautiful way.

 

Unfortunately, my time was limited, otherwise I would have taken another hundred photos. But I’ll be back in a few months after the front yard project has been completed.

Final photo: my Agave parryi pup strapped into my car. Even for agaves it’s important to buckle up!