I'm sorry, I don't have this site on my phone, so can't really post pics. I have done 2 helstrips and one island of succulents in the last 5 years. I asked the local soil place for a succulent mix and they gave me a 1/2 and 1/2 mix of sand and garden soil.

This seems to be just the right combination. It doesn't get watered during the winter, and only once every few weeks during the summer. The island is surrounded by lawn at this time, so it probably gets some little sprinkle during the summer/fall (though the lawn sprinklers are directed away from the island)

I planted most of the plants on the island, then added a 1/2-1" gravel which has actually really helped with weed control!

I've kinda had to be careful, because I live in an Historical neighborhood, and am taking my gardening very slowly, so not to mess with the boxwood and lawn "thing", but have been getting more and more positive about our yard! It makes me happy!

You all have much more than me, but I think the Aloe Vera is looking pretty good:

Last year this whole are was covered with baby Aloes. I cleaned them all away and found new homes for them. They seem to like their home between the Figs.

nancyjane, you can send phone pics to whatever device you are using. Then you can post photos from there.

Sorry, Floral. Does not compute! I don't get it.

Kate, that's a nice Aloe, but it's not Aloe vera. Maybe A. maculata, which is a mad pupper indeed.

Thank you, Cactus.... Whatever it is, it does work on burns.

One way to do it is to send the photo from your phone in an email to yourself. Open the email on your laptop or whatever device you use (I use an ipad and a laptop). Save the photo from the email into the picture files on the device. When you want to post a photo here just click the camera icon below the comments box, choose the picture from your device and it will go into your comment.

@Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL Those are all nice. I love Adeniums but they are impossible to keep alive without ridiculous levels of care.

Thank you very much! I've been following the "seasonal" plan for Adenium. While outside in warm weather, water before it dries, and while inside and cold nights, just a sip very occasionally. I had 2 and still managed to kill one. This winter, I'm going to stick that one that is still alive in an out-of-the-way place and not water it at all. If that works, that will be handy - a full sun plant that doesn't need any for winter, or attention. The leaves fall off anyway.

@Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL Adenium has a caudex and is well-suited to drought or irregular waterings. You do not need to keep the soil moist or watch before it dries?

What I learned in my short time with Adenium is that many varieties can actually survive temperatures lower than 40F, contrary to Internet wisdom. What kills them is if you WATER them while the temperatures are low. I had a beautiful specimen with a wonderful caudex that I experimented with in an outdoor porch that was sheltered from rain. I took it through the entire Winter without watering and with no problems. Many days were between 33F and 40F. Then I did a SINGLE watering, and two weeks later it was complete mush. Horrific.

If you keep it inside, and the temperature inside is always over 50F, then you can probably continue to water it during the Winter, just paying attention to any partial hibernation state. It might need a reduced watering schedule since it will get little sunlight.

Thank you very much. It gets colder than that in my house over winter.

Floral, tried emailing to myself....didn't work. I just have to figure out how to get this app on my phone! I'm really tech stupid! (YAJUST)