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   Succulent Minnesota, a focal point of the Petal Pushers Garden Club’s garden (next to Guidepost Pharmacy on Main Street in Longville), has intrigued visitors for almost 20 years. Originally constructed by Don and Steve Charpentier as part of the garden club’s July 4th parade float, the six-foot-tall Minnesota structure took on new life after being retrieved from a couple of years in storage. 

   The Petal Pushers Garden Club members recognized an opportunity to resurrect it  and had it taken to Barb’s Nursery near Hackensack where the Minnesota transformation took place. Laid flat on its back, squares were cut out, filled with soil, and the fun began. By filling each soil pocket on the front, sides and top with succulent plants that all survive in Minnesota, the present luxurious garden took shape.

   This past spring, 125 individual plants found home in this Minnesota garden, comprising several unique succulent species with added color from new moss roses. Did you know there are so many varieties of “Hen and Chicks”?

Succulents are plants with firm leaves and stems that are designed to retain water, ideal for dry or desert climates and planters which can experience dehydration. Several succulents are native to various areas of Minnesota, the most recognized being the prickly pear often seen in the prairies of SW Minnesota. 

   So why is it put to bed each fall? Water. All summer long, Saundra Happe and Jan Stokesbury faithfully water the succulents twice a week. Although rain was a helper this summer, the upright structure loses a lot of moisture. Although some of the plants might be able to survive the winter, to maintain the health and vigor of the plants they are put to bed in the ground at one of the homes where they survive quite well with natural soil moisture. Come spring, each plant is retrieved from the ground, tidied up, and replanted in its cozy pocket in the Minnesota Succulents garden. Minnesota is again stood up as an outstanding feature of the garden.

   All summer long, visitors to the garden, often enjoying their ice cream cones from across the street, enjoy the serenity of that quiet space in our busy city. But most attention is on Bruno and the succulent garden. It will soon be tucked in for the winter so that the opportunity of our beautiful fall weather and enjoy this gem in Longville.

   If you are interested in helping with the garden, please check out Petal Pushers Garden Club. 

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