Review: Succulent Paradise

by Gideon F Smith and Estrela Figueiredo (Struik, R250)

This book is a celebration of succulent plants in South Africa and abroad.

Gideon Smith, expert in succulent plants and Estrela Figueiredo, researcher in African flora and sustainable gardens have partnered to produce what is undoubtedly a celebration of succulent plants.

They travel within South Africa and to Europe and the Americas to showcase 12 botanical gardens which either focus on succulent plants, or have sections dedicated to these hardy plants.

The two gardens in South Africa are in the Western Cape, while the other 10 gardens include two in France, one each in Monaco, Italy and Mexico and four in the US.

Each botanical garden has a chapter devoted to it with vibrant pictures of corners of the garden as well as close-ups of the succulents featured. Fact boxes in each chapter give details about each botanical garden. Other boxes scattered throughout the book offer interesting snippets about succulent plants, how to grow them successfully in containers, gardening in desert regions, garden design using succulents and other suitable plants.

For enthusiasts who do not really want to travel, the book offers a visual tour of 12 great gardens.