Jo Arnell explains what makes succulents such strong survivors.

Technically, a succulent is any plant with thick, fleshy (succulent) water storage organs. Succulents store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, so they can go for long periods without needing to be watered, which means that these intrepid plants manage to grow where few other plants dare.

TEST Grown on a small scale they can be used as miniature landscaping

Grown on a small scale they can be used as miniature landscaping

TEST Rosettes of Echivera

Rosettes of Echivera

TEST Take-your-pick-succulents-lining-up-for-sale

Take your pick succulents lining up for sale

TEST use-a-lightweight-growing-medium-on-a-living-roof

Use a lightweight growing medium on a living roof

TEST Where-some-plants-fear-to-tread-sedums-and-other-succulents-make-a-great-living-roof

Where some plants fear to tread sedums and other succulents make a great living roof

TEST These versatile plants can be used in many situations here in place of a well cover

These versatile plants can be used in many situations - here in place of a well cover

TEST Succulents have become a popular sight at flower shows

Succulents have become a popular sight at flower shows

Go with the Flow

Sue Whigham shares some valuable new-to-gardening advice I’m sure that by now we should be used to the rain but I’m not entirely sure that we are. We had a dry, sunny day the other day and how everybody’s mood...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard gets to the bottom of why so many ponds have disappeared across the High Weald I have a new passion, almost an obsession, it’s about ponds. And there’s a distinct possibility I might become a bit of a...

Hedge Issues

Sue Whigham takes a meander along nature’s verdant and vital corridors Recently the BBC’s Today programme carried a feature about England’s hedgerows which created a lot of interest among listeners. On the strength of that, Martha Kearney interviewed one of...