My Sedum and Succulent Nursery

I’ve been fascinated by succulent plants, including Sedum, Sempervivum and tender succulents, for decades. That makes it sound as though I’m really old, but I started young – in fact I was about eleven years old when I had my first succulent encounter. I was hooked, and never lost that fascination.

Now I have my very own Sedum and succulent plant nursery under the umbrella of Blue Fox Farm. I can cultivate my enthusiasm, as well as the plants, to my hearts content, and learn more about the ever fascinating ways of plants.

Joining clubs is a fantastic way to meet other plant fanatics, and membership in Alpine Garden Club of B.C. or others like it in your area gives you an opportunity to exchange seeds and plants in your area of interest.

Growing plants for sale and gardening in general has become the fastest growing interest in older generations. The baby boomers have discovered how fun, and how profitable gardening can be.

I, along with many others in my generation, enjoy using the knowledge that I’ve accumulated, especially over the years since I took my training at Fraser Valley College in Chilliwack, British Columbia to be a horticulturist.

Indulging in my Passion

Unfortunately, I don’t live near a major center; I’ve found out how uncommon these lovely plants are via the internet, especially in Canada, and the restrictions on importing plants from other countries are prohibitive.

That was the spur for me to make my ever growing collection of Sedum, Sempervivum, tender succulent plants and Echeveria available to other collectors.

I grow all the hardy plants outside all year, except occasionally when rooting cuttings which may be done in the greenhouse.

The climate here is warm in the summer months, and usually cold and snowy from November to about mid April. All the Sedum, Sempervivum, Jovibarba and thyme are cold hardy to at least Zone 5 on the Canadian zone map.

Tender succulent plants such as Echeveria Aloe, Haworthia and others that originate in warmer climates are grown in the greenhouse in the summer, where they enjoy the warmth and bright light.

I usually start moving them from their winter quarters about the end of May, and move them back into the house for the winter as soon as the nights become cool and frost threatens in September.

In many cases, the hardy plants are grown in flats or pots, or planted right in landscaped garden beds for others to see them displayed in their preferred conditions, and as stock plants for propagation. I have to admit, the propagation aspect of owning my own nursery is a large part of its appeal to me.

I love to take cuttings, make them root and grow into beautiful healthy young plants; seeing a single leaf make roots and a new plant is always a miracle, no matter how many times I see it happen.

I’ve started growing many of the tender succulent plants directly in an open communal flat, and selling the resulting larger plants bare root. I also grow many of the Sempervivum this way, if they're not planted in some of the many succulent crafts that I so enjoy making.

Ways My Nursery is Friendly to the Environment

• I use absolutely no chemicals in my nursery. I feel it’s very important to protect any land we may be fortunate enough to have stewardship over, as well as the customer unpacking the plants.

• I use only natural and organic methods of fertilizing my plants – either adding steer manure or compost to the planting beds, adding worm castings to pots of succulents, or watering with compost tea.

• I sometimes add micorrhizae to the soil for better nutrient absorption by the roots.

• I use sustainable methods of plant culture, more and more every year, including water capture for irrigation purposes.

• I sell most of the plants through this website via mail order to reduce my carbon footprint.

• I re-use all my containers until they fall apart, then take them to be recycled.

It’s been fascinating to build my Sedum and succulent plant nursery, and I’ve learned so many interesting things about plants, how they grow and their many uses in xeric gardens.

If you’re interested in taking a tour of my Sedum and succulent nursery while you're visiting Grand Forks, British Columbia, please contact me to arrange a time and get directions. See the map below for more information.


View Larger Map

go to Drought Smart Plants home page

go to Xeric Garden Tour page

go to Philosophy of a Xeric Gardener page