using top dressings

You may have seen succulent arrangements that have pebbles, crushed stones, or other material covering the top of the soil. This material is called a top dressing and it’s an often overlooked but important part of creating an arrangement. Adding the right top dressing can make the arrangement really shine and seem more cohesive. There are numerous options for top dressings, from flashy to subtle. Use whatever works best to enhance the plants you’ve selected for your arrangement.

A top dressing creates a finished look and adds color and texture to the arrangement.

function

Top dressings don’t just look pretty; they also serve a purpose. Using something like rocks or glass gems on top of the soil prevents soil dust from coming up each time you water and keeps the arrangement looking clean and fresh. A top dressing also enhances the arrangement by providing color, texture, and shape. In the same way the color of the pot affects the look of the arrangement, a top dressing adds a subtle touch of color to really make the succulent stand out.

This purple top dressing complements, but does not distract from, the colors of the succulent and the pot.

the right fit

There are a variety of options for top dressings. They range from moss to glass to pebbles and other stones. You can find different sizes and colors of pea gravel at a local rock supplier. You might find warm colors, cool grays, and even black pebbles. Aquarium gravel comes in every color of the rainbow. Crushed seashells work well for an under-the-sea look.

When you’re selecting your top dressing, keep in mind that you want it to complement the succulents and not draw attention to itself. Often using a neutral color or a color from the arrangement is the best way to go.

The tweezers and scoop shown here were purchased as a set and are normally used for scooping up small beads.

tools

Getting the top dressing in the right places can be a bit tricky. A few tools will help you get the look you want: a soft-bristled brush, a long scoop, and long-handled tweezers. These items can all be found at your local craft store.

A scoop can be used to add the top dressing.

The scoop works well to get rocks and gems into hard-to-reach places. The tweezers are great for placing moss or removing rocks from between leaves. The brush is useful for removing top dressings from between the leaves of your succulents. You can also use it to smooth out finer top dressings, such as sand.