Give a gift of SUCCULENTS

A delightful handmade gift with a difference, this jewel-like display of plump potted succulents will bring lasting joy to its recipient

Home-made gifts are always special, and gardeners never tire of receiving plants as presents. Combine plants with creativity by putting together a container of striking succulents. These plump-leaved, colourful plants are riding a wave of popularity at the moment, and could be just the thing to give a tricky-to-buy-for grandchild, for example. That said, gardeners of all ages will find them hard to resist.

Quite a few succulents can withstand colder temperatures, and in urban areas or mild parts of the country these pots should be fine outside over winter. Otherwise, put them in a greenhouse, conservatory or a bright spot in the house when temperatures fall.

The pot pictured above was created by Surreal Succulents, the Cornwall-based specialists who also supply plants by mail order (surrealsucculents.co.uk).

Owners Daniel Michael and Mark Lea used Aloe aristata as a centrepiece, and (anticlockwise from top) pale jade Echeveria elegans, dusky pink Echeveria ‘Duchess of Nuremberg’, plump Echeveria ‘Mexican Giant’, the crimson-pointed rosettes of Sempervivum calcareum, and finally bright green x Sedeveria ‘Letizia’ – one of Daniel and Mark’s new hybrids, which they have been breeding for increased winter hardiness.