Admittedly, this year’s Succulent Extravaganza at Succulent Gardens nursery near San Francisco was a bit of a blur for me. When I arrived, I quickly assembled plants and supplies for the two presentations I was giving; set up the book table and signed and sold books; and briefly said hello to friends I see just once or twice a year—including my GGW co-blogger, Saxon Holt. It was so hot and humid my hair had a mind of its own, and I mopped off all my makeup. Even so, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Were you there? If so, please assure me I managed to look and sound less freakish than I felt!

I knew I was at the right place when I saw this license plate in the parking lot:

The Succulent Fanatics Facebook group had a table displaying a variety of creative and decorative design ideas.

The group’s founder, Master Gardener Laura Balaoro of San Jose, brought a whimsical composition of succulent cupcakes.

San Rafael garden designer Gary Bartl posed with one of his Sierrascapes (in a Mark Muradian pot) in front of Saxon’s display of photo posters.

What a cute and clever idea—succulents in a three-tiered hanging fruit basket from a second-hand shop:

The nursery owner told me this succulent heart was broken (some symbolism there, perhaps). I advised they should fix it, prop it upright, and use it to draw couples who want an unusual engagement photo. Just think how many succulents they’d sell to people using succulents as a wedding theme.