I was asked to do a couple of succulent creations for a local gala event a few weeks ago. A friend found two very cool metal crowns (Coronado, the Crown City!) and I did the rest.
First, I found a clay dish that fit the crown. The big question was whether I should glue the crown to the clay dish. I decided not to glue so the Crown could be stand-alone when the garden was eventually dismantled. The downside was that the creation was a bit more delicate and I had to make a little care sheet to remind people to life from the bottom, not the crown!
I filled the clay dish with potting soil and tamped down lightly. I also put a layer of dampened sphagnum moss for looks, and functional purpose, too. I punched holes in the moss, down to the dirt, to insert stems of my succulent cuttings. I also used clear tacky glue to hold the pieces in place. The glue will hold long enough to let the plants get rooted. I learned this trick from succulent design guru, and fellow Master Gardener, Laura Eubanks. If you’ve never heard one of Laura’s talk, well, you’re missing out!
The final effect is pleasing, I think. I have a lot succulents incubating in my vertical gardens and various pots around the yard, so I had great material to work with. I’m told that these creations were very popular at the gala. That’s the LOVE part of my post.
SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT!!! My book, CORONADO, was also highlighted at the gala, given as gifts to the big donors of the evening. And that would be the PRIDE part of this post! 
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