Hello, garden enthusiasts!

Despite her busy schedule being a lecturer at The UWI, and wife and mother of two teenage boys, Lisa seizes every opportunity to design and maintain her succulent garden. She hastened to advise that gardening is therapeutic and so she finds solace there.

Like many of us as beginners, Lisa thought she had “black thumb”, as every house plant she bought eventually died. She had given up on plants. Lisa’s mother, Pearl, of blessed memory, introduced her to succulents when she gifted her with a sedum and told her “You can’t kill this one so easily; succulents are very hardy.” That’s when her love affair with succulents started, and the rest is history! She has found her niche and has an Instagram page! Lisa is now a succulent gardener extraordinaire! Her jaw-dropping succulent garden, comprising echeverias, crassula ovatas, sedums, harworthias, senecios, kalanchoes and more, is the pride and joy of her family, friends and plant lovers in her gated community.

When Lisa’s mom transitioned earlier this year, she fell into a depression and only recovered after immersing herself in the design and maintenance of her succulent garden, in her mother’s honour. This speaks volumes of the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

Initially, Lisa’s succulent garden was monochromatically designed where all the containers were painted red complementing the “Ladybug” theme. However, as the garden evolved, and in keeping with her love for new and exciting containers, so did the designs. The main succulent garden is on a raised bed, left of her driveway where the pots are artistically displayed in varying height and colours, some of which are beautifully decorated with centrepieces like Buddhas, face and hand porcelain planters, butterflies, ladybugs, bird houses, lizards, driftwood and more to add whimsy and pique interest. She also utilises old radios, ceramic jugs and teapots, watering cans and high-heeled shoes as planters. How innovative!

Under her kitchen window is also a feast for the eyes! Beautifully staged with succulent arrangements in ceramic planters along the ledge, other arrangements displayed in clay pots, ceramic planters and jugs, showcasing bromeliads and a variety of succulents. Also planted throughout her garden are annuals and perennials to add splashes of colour — a piece of the rainbow.

As Lisa’s collection grew, she extended her succulent garden to the side of her house where the intrigue continued. A variety of containers magnificently staged with a whimsical Ladybug sign directing your path.

Join me next week for Part 2.

— Sharon Cain