Has anyone else noticed the coolest new floral trend happening in the Hamptons with succulents? Pansies are out, and these quirky little guys are popping up in flower boxes, dinner parties centerpieces, and chic pool pots all over the East End! We checked in with KDHamptons floral expert, Erin Meaney [owner of Topiaire floral boutique in Southampton] to break down this mysterious desert flower for us before we attempt to plant some at our beach cottage…

“Succulents are in the cactus family,” shares Erin. “Over the last few years they have become incredibly popular both in landscaping patio pots and as a flower, if you will, for dinner parties, etc. I recently made wedding bouquets of green hydrangea and succulents. The greatest part about these plants is that they are quite easy to care for in pots, as long as they are in a porous soil and don’t get over watered!”

“Succulents are drought tolerant plants. They come in a huge variety of colors and textures. Colors from blue to green grey silver and chartreuse. I have been in love with succulents for years and increasingly find ways to incorporate them into my store. You can cut the succulent from it’s plant base and use as a beautiful flower, many succulents actually look like a beautiful rose florette,” says Erin.

Erin says, “Succulents are quite expensive, a small pot can cost $15-20 dollars for a 4 1/2 inch plant. The great part about them is that they can take the direct hot summer sun and not wilt. Also, because their leaves store water, they can go longer without water. As plants go, these are easy to care for, just lots of direct sun and not lots of water. Every year I plant succulents Memorial Day weekend and by September they have grown considerably with very little effort on my part. They do also produce flowers. Sort of funny antennae looking things which are often in reds oranges yellows!”

Having second thoughts because of the expense? Erin advises, “Don’t worry, I had a fantastic pot of succulents on my outside dining table and they were glorious through October into November; so they seem expensive but they have a 99% success rate if planted outside, and they last for at least six months of almost maintenance free gardening. Try something different this season!”

Topiaire Location: 51 Jobs Lane, Southampton; 631.287.3800