Simply succulent 2009

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND

Simply Succulent

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
June 6 & 9, 2009

© Project SOUND

It’s easy to fall in love with cacti & succulents

http://www.cactus-mall.com/pictures/pic00024.jpg
© Project SOUND

This may (or may not) be your idea of
heaven on earth

http://www.dryscapes.eu/11.html

© Project SOUND

But most of us have at least one place in our yards
where cacti/succulents might be the best solution

http://hotels.about.com/od/newmexico/ig/Sierra-Grande-Lodge/Cactus-Garden.htm

© Project SOUND
http://image61.webshots.com/161/0/69/53/520706953KNboGn_fs.jpg

Succulents complement contemporary
architecture...

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/73491/Succulent-Garden.jpg

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1476610400079711680tHyVBV
© Project SOUND

…and add interesting color & texture to
many types of gardens

http://succulentplants.net/garden.htm

© Project SOUND

Cacti & succulents can be valuable
additions to water-wise gardens

http://paradiseenvironments.com/OutdoorLiving/outdoor_living.htm
© Project SOUND

And can be easy to grow, with minimal effort

http://www.ci.poway.ca.us/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=1146

© Project SOUND

We already know that California (and Baja
California) plants are special…

 Our Mediterranean climate requires that
plants adapt to summer drought.
 One common adaptations is succulence.
Modified tissues store large amounts of
water, making the plant part appear
fleshy, succulent, or swollen.
 Species in various plant families and
genera have independently evolved
succulence as a mechanism for conserving
water and survival in arid environments.
 There are an estimated 10,000 succulent
plant species throughout the world

© Project SOUND

Several types of succulence:
 Leaf Succulents: Leaves are almost entirely
composed of water storage cells covered by a thin
layer of green photosynthetic tissue.
Examples: Stonecrop family - Aloe, Dudleya,
Sedum, non-native Iceplants
 Stem Succulents: Fleshy stems contain water
storage cells overlaid by photosynthetic tissue.
Leaves are almost or entirely absent, reducing
surface area to prevent evaporative loss of water.
Examples: most cacti, Euphorbias; Giant Coreopsis.
 Root Succulents: Swollen fleshy roots store water
underground away from the heat of the sun and
hungry animals. Stems and leaves are often
deciduous and shed during prolonged dry seasons.
Examples: Manroot (Marah), Abronia, .
Combinations of the above types may occur where
more than one organ is used to store water.
Examples: Agave, Heliotropium curassavicum
(Seaside Heliotrope)
© Project SOUND

Most, but not all, succulent plants are
from hot dry climates

Salty Susan - Jaumea carnosa Pickleweed - Salicornia virginica

 Succulence developed for the same reason in
saltmarsh plants – to allow the plant to conserve
water
http://www.sanelijo.org/saltmarsh.html © Project SOUND

What is a cactus (and how is it different
from other succulents)?
 Cacti are a distinct plant family
(Cactaceae).
 They are plants of hot environments
 They are perennial succulent plants with
thick stems usually covered with
spines. Spines are not all over the
surface but are borne in felty cushions
called areoles.
 Sometimes mistakenly called leaves, the
joints of prickly pears are flattened
stems. True leaves, if not completely
absent, usually are very small and
inconspicuous and soon fall away.
 The more than 1500 different
species of cacti are native to the
Western Hemisphere, from Canada
to Patagonia.
© Project SOUND

Coastal S. CA has a unique plant
community : Southern Cactus Scrub
 Dominated by cacti and coastal sage scrub
species.
 Must be 20% or more cover of coastal prickly-
pear (Opuntia littoralis) and/or Oracle cactus
(Opuntia oricola).
 In coastal areas, coastal cholla (Cylindropuntia/
Opuntia prolifera) may be a common
 Other common species CA Encelia, California
sagebrush, buckwheat, black sage (Salvia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liamkestrel/3383069515/

You can use the Cactus mellifera), and Mexican elderberry (Sambucus
mexicana).
Scrub community as
inspiration for your  The understory is frequently composed of
garden foothill needlegrass, bent grass (Agrostis spp.),
and a variety of herbaceous forb species.
 Occurs primarily on south-facing slopes on low
foothills away from the immediate coast.

© Project SOUND

The genus Optuntia
 Family: Cactaceae
 Opuntia genus has two branches
 Prickly Pears "Platyopuntia" (flat joints)
 Chollas "Cylindropuntia" (rounded joints)
 About three dozen species
throughout the United States
 Native to every state except Maine,
Vermont and New Hampshire
 Natural hybridization common
 Lifespan <20 years (most short-lived
of all cacti)
 Main food producing cacti - both
pads and fruit.
© Project SOUND

Coastal Prickly-pear - Opuntia littoralis

© 2002 Lynn Watson
© Project SOUND

Chaparral Pricklypear – Opuntia oricola

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Opuntia_oricola
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_oricola.htm
© Project SOUND

Yum – Pricklypears
can be used in so
many ways!

 I’ll send out a
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2383907636_378192341a.jpg?v=0
recipe sheet

http://www.arizonagift.com/convention_mini_gifts.htm
http://www.sacatomato.com/2008/06/cooking_with_diana_kennedy.html © Project SOUND

Cylindropuntia

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opuntia4_filtered.jpg © Project SOUND

Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera

© 2004 Vince Scheidt

© Project SOUND

Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera

 Pacific coast from
southern California
(USA) to central Baja
California (Mexico)
 Ocean bluffs, inland
coastal sage flats, arid
slopes below 600' near
the coast, coastal sage
scrub
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2702,2726,2749
 It’s name (prolifera)
describes how it grows –
with many offshoots

© Project SOUND

Coastal cacti depend on summer fogs

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

But they really are quite drought tolerant

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm

© Project SOUND

Coastal Cholla is a medium-sized cactus
 Size:
 4-8 ft tall
 to 8 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Tree-like or shrubby cactus
 Extensive branching; branches
are cylindrical
 Branches blue-green when
young; covered with darker
bark when older

 Foliage:
 None that is permanent
 Spines and glochids typical of
Opuntia-type cacti


© Project SOUND

Flowers are fantastic
 Blooms:
 Spring-summer
 Usually Apr-June or July
 Flowers open over several
weeks

 Flowers:
 Small (for cactus) – 1-2 inches
 Magenta to dark (burgandy) red
 Very bright & showy

 Seeds:
 Often sterile – we’ll learn why
in a second

 Vegetative reproduction:
 Most common means of
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/coastcholla.html reproduction; segments break
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm off easily © Project SOUND

Cactus flowers: unique and showy
 Showy, colorful petals – attract insect
pollinators;
 many different insects visit the flowers
 bees are most common pollinators

 Sweet-scented (many)
 Male (stamen) organs can move toward
the center of the flowers when touched
(thigmotropic).
 Happens very quickly on a hot day
 Explanation:
 May force pollen onto the bodies of
pollinators (bees) to assist in cross
pollination
 ? Role in getting flowers pollinated quickly
so excess energy not spent in reproduction?
 ? keeps non-pollinators from ‘stealing’ the
pollen?
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/chollac2.htm © Project SOUND

Opuntia fruits are often fleshy, brightly colored
 Adapted for hot, dry
conditions
 Keep seed/embryo moist &
protected during seed
development
 Attract birds/animals once
seed is ready to spread
 Develop sweet flesh
 Color becomes more dark-
red/purple once seeds are
fully developed
 This cholla has sterile seeds
 Sterile hybrid – probably
between several species now
found only in Mexico (C.
alcahes X C. cholla )
 Note: fruits are green – not
http://ucbglcs.blogspot.com/

red – and not particularly good
to eat

© Project SOUND
http://www.sanpedrorivervalley.org/old_road_byway.htm

Growth requirements for  Soils:
 Texture: well-drained soils;
local Opuntia-type Cacti sandy or gravelly/rocky the
best
 pH: any local, including alkali

 Light:
 Full sun in most gardens
 Some afternoon shade fine in
very hot gardens

 Water:
 Winter: winter rains usually
adequate
 Summer: likes to be fairly dry
(Zones 1 to 1-2; Zone 2 in pots)

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6342  Other: use a rock mulch, if any

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for local
Opuntia-type cacti
 Good choice for coastal habitat gardens
 Habitat for coastal cactus wren (rare)
 Insects and hummingbirds drawn to
flowers
 Birds and mammals eat the fruits
 Some mammals/lizards actually live
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/Syllabus2/factshee
t.cfm?ID=792 in/near to cacti for protection
 For their food value
 In a cactus/desert style garden
 In large planters/containers
 As accent plants in dry areas of the
garden – placement is key
 Excellent choice for hillsides
 As a barrier or hedge plant

© Project SOUND
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm

Some people use
Opuntia-type cacti
for hedges

http://www.backtonatives.org/nativelandscapes.htm

And they work pretty
well

http://content.ci.pomona.ca.us/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Frasher&CISOPTR=6863&CISOBOX=1&REC=20
© Project SOUND

You may have heard of ‘Jumping Chollas’
 Don’t not really jump.
 The barbed spines
allow them to seize
the passer-by and
"disarticulate readily"
from the mother plant.
 This allows the plant
http://www.graci.com/photoday.htm
to spread widely by
vegetative propagation
 Bottom line: consider
garden placement of
cacti carefully
© Project SOUND
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1053071767036424719YtiPgK

Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi


© Project SOUND

Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi

 San Clemente Island,
Santa Catalina Island,
Coastal Orange Co.,
southern San Diego Co.
 AKA ‘Goldensnake cactus’


© Project SOUND

In nature: Catalina Island

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of Golden-spined Cereus

 Size:
 1-2 ft tall
 3-5+ ft wide; spreading

 Growth form:
 Evergreen cactus
 Many upright, cylindrical
stems

 Foliage:
 No leaves
 Fragile, glass-like spines -
many

© Project SOUND
© 2007 John M. Taylor

Flowers are showy
 Blooms:
 Late spring – typical for
coastal cacti
 Usually Apr-Jul. in our area

 Flowers:
 Lovely lemon yellow
 ~ 2” wide
 Long bloom period – open
over a period of time
 Showy indeed!

 Fruits: red, globular, sweet;
loved by birds, animals

 Vegetative reproduction: yes
© 2005 Dieter Wilken © 2007 John M. Taylor

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements  Soils:
 Texture: any local; well-
drained is better
 pH: any local

 Light: full sun to light shade

 Water:
 Winter: likes good winter
rains; supplement if needed
 Summer: like to be dry in
summer: Zone 1-2 probably
optimal

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

 Other: inorganic mulch

© Project SOUND

Garden uses for
smaller native cacti
 Attractive as pot plants

 In a cactus/succulent garden

 In a local coastal garden with
it’s natural associates: Coyote
Bush, Sticky Monkeyflower,
© 2007 Halleh Paymard

Lemonadeberry, local native
grasses and annual wildflowers

 Note: plant is rare in CA, still
common in Baja

 Fire-retardant plant

http://cactiguide.com/Bergerocactus.htm
© Project SOUND

Propagating cacti from cuttings – easy (at
least in theory)
 Carefully remove a pad or offset
(cut or pull off)
 Let the wound callus over (a
week to up to a month)
 Place pad (wounded side down) in
potting mix (I use commercial
mix with added perlite or sand)
 Place in bright shade
 Water when soil begins to dry
out
 Wait – may take a while

© Project SOUND

Be careful of all the spiny structures when
working with cacti
 The glochids get into
your skin and are very
irritating. If you cannot
get them out, you end up
with something that
resembles an infected
mosquito bite.
 Preferred method of
removal: apply sticky
tape to them and lift
them out. Glochids are
generally too fine to be
grasped with tweezers.

© Project SOUND

Purchasing native cacti & succulents

 Many native species
are rare or
endangered
 Never collect in
nature without a
permit
 Buy only from
http://calplants.biz/yuccawhipplei.html
reputable dealers

© Project SOUND

Local cacti, Yucca & Agaves are great for
those out-of-the way slopes


© Project SOUND

*Our Lord’s Candle – Hesperoyucca (Yucca) whipplei

© 2003 BonTerra Consulting
© Project SOUND

Yuccas – the genus Yucca
 There are at least 50 species of
Yucca within the Agavaceae -
numerous subspecies, varieties,
forms, cultivars and hybrids.
 Occur exclusively in the Americas,
distributed over a wide area from
Canada into Central America and the
Carribean
 There are species adapted to dry
deserts, grasslands and tropical
rainforests.
 All but one species (Y. whipplei) can
flower many times (polycarpic) and
produce side-shoots to compensate
for loss of the apical growing point by
its conversion into a flower bud.
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Yucca_whipplei.htm

© Project SOUND

Yuccas are pollinated by
special ‘Yucca Moths’
 Self pollination of Yucca
flowers of many species is
impossible, although a few are
self-fertile.
 Most Yuccas are pollinated
exclusively by small Yucca
moths with the plant and moth
totally dependent on each
other.
 Recent research has shown that
there are at least 16 different
Yucca Moths (Tegeticula
species) - all are specialized in
pollinating their "own" Yucca
species.

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/chaparralyucca.html We’ll be talking about Yucca another time
G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND

The Agaves – genus Agave

 Closely related to the Yuccas – both in
Agavaceae Family
 Agaves are not cacti (or even closely
related to cacti) - are closely related
to the lily and amaryllis families
 Primarily from Mexico, but also occur
in the southern and western United
States and central and tropical South
America.
 Have a large rosette of thick fleshy
leaves, each ending generally in a sharp
point and with a spiny margin;
 The stout stem (caudex) is usually
short - the leaves appear to arise
from the root.

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Agave_shawii.html
© Project SOUND

The Agaves – genus Agave

 Popular ornamental plants.
 Each rosette grows slowly to flower
only once. During flowering a tall
stem or "mast" grows from the
center of the leaf rosette and bears
a large number of shortly tubular
flowers.
 After development of fruit the
original plant dies, but suckers are
frequently produced from the base
of the stem which become new plants.
 Agave species are used as food plants
by the larvae of some Lepidoptera
(butterfly and moth) species
http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/agav-sha.html

© Project SOUND

*Coastal Agave – Agave shawii


© Project SOUND

*Coastal Agave – Agave shawii
 Pacific coast from S. San Diego
Co. to Baja
 Grows immediate to the coast,
often in sandy soils
 coastal bluffs and slopes
 coastal sage scrub community
 maritime succulent scrub
community

 Grows with many of our local
native plants, including Golden-
spine Cereus
 Habitat is often quite low &
open

© Project SOUND

Shaw’s Agave in maritime shrub community

© Project SOUND

Plant associates include many from our
coastal shrub & prairie communities


© Project SOUND
http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html

Shaw’s Agave – stunning in the right place
 Size:
 2-3 ft tall (rosette); flowering stalk
much taller (15-40 ft. tall)
 3-6 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Clumping evergreen succulent
 Spreads by suckering from the caudex
(produces ‘pups’)
 Very showy & unusual
http://www.pitzer.edu/offices/arboretum/scott_lawn/desert.html

 Foliage:
 Leaf color: varies from dark blue-green
to yellow-green
 Stout sharp tip-spine as well as curved
leaf margin spines – place away from
walkways, etc.

© 2006 Steve Matson © Project SOUND

http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm
© Project SOUND

What a show when Agaves bloom!!
 Blooms:
 Variable; almost any time of
year in western L.A. Co.
 Takes about 15 years to
flower
 Flowers:
 On stout tall flowering stalk
 Showy, bright yellow flowers
 Attract a number of insects,
including moths
 Seeds:
 Flat, black seeds in thick pod
 Can grow agaves from seed –
may have many infertile seeds
 Vegetative reproduction:
usually many ‘pups’ to replace the
plant that just flowered.

© Project SOUND

Growing Agaves  Soils:
 Texture: any as long as
- well-drained soil drainage is good; love sandy,
rocky soils
 pH: any local except low pH (<6)

 Light:
 Coastal – full sun
 Hot, inland gardens – light
(afternoon) shade

 Water:
 Winter: needs good drainage;
plant on slopes, or other well-
drained situations
 Summer: Like to be fairly dry
(Zone 1-2; water several times
per summer); no overhead
water

 Fertilizer: none; like poor soils
© Project SOUND

Agaves make great
accent plants
 In very large pots/planters
– remember, these are
large plants

 Look wonderful in
hillsides/slopes
http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm

 Looks equally at home with
other cacti & succulents –
or with coastal
prairie/shrubland plants

 Good player in a rock
garden

 Excellent accent against
gray-green foliage
© Project SOUND

http://www.sbbg.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=livingcollections.plantDetail&plant_id=28

Agave & Yucca as food and fiber

http://www.howka.com/scrapbook/ciba_2005/

http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/glossary%20personalgear.htm
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Tequila/ccerna/tequila.jpg

 Flowers, leaves &
stem are edible

http://www.so-utah.com/feature/anasazi/homepage.html
http://www.nps.gov/zion/historyculture/yucca-sandal.htm
© Project SOUND

Agave attenuata: a Mexican species
available in the U.S.

http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/2008/09/30/berkeley-succulent-garden-3/
© Project SOUND

Agave ‘Blue Flame’
 Combines the features of its
parent species: A. shawii X
A. attenuata

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2871

http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ISI2005/isi/2005-06.html
© Project SOUND

Cacti & succulents from Baja & other
parts of Mexico, SW U.S.

http://museum.utep.edu/chih/gardens/succulen/succulen.htm

Lots of wonderful species – but are they right for my yard?
© Project SOUND

Using species from CA & SW desert regions
 Contrary to popular belief,
western L.A. county is not
‘a desert’
 Challenges for using desert
cacti/succulents:
 Soil must be well-drained
 Wet years and fog may kill
the plants – fungal
diseases
 Some species (from
Sonoran Desert – in south)
need a ‘summer monsoon’
period – you’ll have to give
them it
 Advice:
 Learn as much as you can
about the requirements/
habitat of a species
before you purchase it
 Be really careful in
http://www.nps.gov/cagr/forkids/the-sonoran-desert.htm
planning your©Water Zones
Project SOUND
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nm/top-national-monuments-7.html

The same advice goes for
succulents from other places
 Know as much as you can about
their requirements
 Be sure that you group
compatible plants – just because
they are succulent doesn’t mean
http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=3666 they have the same requirements

http://sdccs-oasis.blogspot.com/2008/02/bring-your-succulent-cuttings-your-old.html
© Project SOUND

Our local climate allows us to grow special succulents
– the Dudleyas

Dudleyas thrive in our mild,
coastal-influenced
Mediterranean climate
© Project SOUND

The Stonecrop Family: Crassulaceae
 ~ 1500 species
 Most genera exhibit some leaf succulence
 Many species are used widely as garden and
house plants Examples:

 The genus Crassula includes the well-known Jade
http://www.southampton.bcss.org.uk/images/image145.jpg Plants and other small sub-shrubs, choice
minatures and mat-forming plants.
Echeverias
 Cotyledon includes interesting shrubby species
with succulent stems and leaves. Some species
have showy tubular yellow, orange or red flowers.
 Echeverias are often used in rock gardens and
indoor plants.
 Kalanchoe includes plants with showy flowers.

 Sedums are well known for hardy mat-forming
Stonecrops which provides useful flower color in
the garden in late summer and early autumn.

Kalanchoe © Project SOUND

The Live-forevers: genus Dudleya

 Named for William Russel Dudley (1849-
1911), first professor of botany and head
of the Botany Department at Stanford
University
 ~ 40 species; native to the arid western
United States (in particular, Southwest/
Northern California and Oregon), Baja
California.
 Very similar in appearance to other
Stonecrops (sempervivum; sedum;
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Rus echeveria).
sell_Dudley_(1849-1911).jpg

 Often grow in stone crevasses or sand
dunes with little or no organic soil.
 Long-lived (to 100+ years for some
species) hence the common name
© Project SOUND

Many Dudleyas have small or threatened
distribution: some are very rare

Dudleya greenii – a Channel
Islands endemic

 Like many California native plants, dudleyas are now considered
rare, threatened or endangered, depending on the species. All are
protected by law, making it illegal to remove any plants from their
natural habitat.
 More are coming into cultivation – but many still are not available

© Project SOUND

Taxonomic confusion: is that an
Echeveria or a Dudleya?

http://www.collectorscorner.com.au/Cacti/Echeveri
a%20main.htm

Echeveria Dudleya

 Quite similar-looking; but with a few important differences
 Several local species were formerly included in Echeveria:
 Canyon Live-forever – Dudleya cymosa
 Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta
 Ladyfinger Dudleya – Dudleya edulis

© Project SOUND

Dudleya flowers are slightly different

 Dudleya flowers arise from somewhere near the bottom of
the rosettes normally (rarely from the rosette center as
most Echeveria flowers do).

 Dudleyas & Echeverias do not form hybrids between the 2
genera; Dudleyas only interbreed with other Dudleyas
© Project SOUND

But the real difference – and the most important for
gardeners – relates to their history
 Dudleyas
 Native to the ‘Pacific Plate’
 Adapted to rainy winters & hot, dry
summers
 Winter-growing; summer dormant
 Can kill them with too much summer
water

 Echeverias
 Native to the ‘North American Plate’
 Adapted to rainy summers & dry winters
 Summer growing; winter dormant
 Can kill them with too much winter
water

The two genera have been separated for long
enough that each is very well adapted to its
own environment
© Project SOUND

So…it’s recommended to NOT combine both in
the same part of the garden
 Summer watering of Dudleyas
should be very occasional: they are
very summer ‘water-wise’ compared
to Echeverias
 Most Dudleyas & Echeverias do best in
well-drained soils; gravelly/sandy

Dudleya virens ssp hassei  The roots of some Dudleya species do
not absorb moisture well in the high
heat; water simply rots the roots
(susceptible to root rot fungi).
 Treat as Zone 1-2 (water only several
times a summer & not at summer’s end)
 Dudleyas in very well-drained soils
(sandy) or in pots should be treated as
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.as
Zone 2 © Project SOUND
p?plant_id=538

 Dudleyas can also rot from the
crown or leaves, particularly if
water is left sitting on the delicate
leaves (some are more sensitive
than others).
Dudleya virens ssp hassei  Either avoid getting water on the
leaves, or plant them at angles so the
water runs off.
 In nature, many species grow naturally
on cliff faces and steep slopes so
water cannot sit on these plants.

 Excess water also attracts snails and
slugs – which love Dudleyas
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.as
p?plant_id=538

Bottom line: best to not combine Dudleyas with succulents that have
very different water requirements (Echeverias; Sedums; etc.) SOUND
© Project

Container gardens – allow you to provide
just the right conditions

http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610656.pdf
© Project SOUND

Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens ssp hassei

© Project SOUND

Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens ssp insularis

© Project SOUND

Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens

 Two local subspecies:
 ssp. hassei – Catalina
 ssp. insularis – Palos
Verdes, S. Channel
Islands

 On steep slopes in
chaparral, coastal
bluff scrub, and
coastal sage scrub
habitats below 1000
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Dudleya+virens
ft.

© Project SOUND

Characteristics of ssp. hassei
 Size:
 < 6 in. tall
 1-2 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Spreading clump of
succulent rosettes
 Evergreen; dries in
summer

 Foliage:
 Succulent, cylindrical
leaves
 Color: blue-green to more
yellow-green

 Flowers: pale yellow on pale
pink stalk
© Project SOUND
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Dudleya_virens

Characteristics of ssp. insularis
 Size: a bit bigger
 ~ 1 ft tall
 1-2+ ft wide

 Growth form:
 Spreading clump of succulent
rosettes
 Evergreen; dries in summer

 Foliage:
 Succulent, cylindrical leaves
 Color: blue-green to more
yellow-green; usually more
glaucus (white farina) than
ssp. hassei

 Flowers: pale pink-yellow on
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting brighter pink stalk
© Project SOUND

Dudleya flowers are
usually showy
 Blooms:
 Generally are mid-late spring-
bloomers
 Usually Apr-June even July in
S. Bay

 Flowers:
 In general small; < ¾ inch
 Many flowers on flowering
stems held above or away from
the foliage
 Often yellow, orange, pink or
red; may be pale or bright
 Often light fragrance
 Great hummingbird flowers!

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements  Soils:
 Texture: best in light, well-
for Dudleya virens drained soil, but can succeed in
many gardens
 pH: any local

 Light:
 Full sun only in coastal area
 Light shade (afternoon shade) in
hotter inland gardens; needs
enough sun for good color, shape

 Water:
 Winter: needs good winter rains
 Summer: keep fairly dry – Zone
1-2 best

 Fertilizer: likes poor soils; can
lightly fertilize (1/5 strength) in
winter (esp. in pots)

© 2005 BonTerra Consulting © Project SOUND

Dudleyas in the
garden
 Attractive pot plants
 Good for succulent
ground-covers (best in
small areas; smaller
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2987 varieties (spp. hassei)
work best)
 Excellent choice for rock
gardens, dry-stone walls,
retaining walls
 Bordering paths or in
fronts of dry beds
 On hillsides, slopes
© Project SOUND

Growing Dudleyas in containers
 Dudleyas grow well in pots and
make excellent outdoor
specimens in Mediterranean
climates.
 Potting soil should be very well-
draining; amend potting soils with
sharp sand and pumice to insure
good drainage.
 Watering: treat as Zone 2;
monitor carefully in hot weather
 Light: afternoon shade or bright
shade best
Dudleya farinosa
 Propagation: easiest by removing
rooted offsets (pups), but can be
from seed
© Project SOUND

Other considerations for growing Dudleyas
 Bright light is integral to the proper
growth of this genus.
 Plants grown in low-light will lose their
color, grow tall and spindly and will
eventually die.
 Most Dudleyas make poor houseplants

 Most Dudleyas do best with moderate
temperatures - protect from
blistering afternoon heat, frosts
(particularly if in pots)
 Potting soil should be very well-
draining; use a cactus mix or amend
available soils with sharp sand and
pumice to insure good drainage.

© Project SOUND

Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta ssp. pulverulenta

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_pulverulenta.htm
© Project SOUND

Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta ssp. pulverulenta

 Coastal regions from
San Luis Obispo south
into Baja
 Locally in Santa Monica
Mtns., western San
Gabriels
 Rocky cliffs and
canyons below 3000
feet
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3284,3295,3327,3329
 Coastal sage scrub,
chaparral

© Project SOUND

Striking, large plant in the Santa Monica Mtns

http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_pulverulenta.htm

© Project SOUND

Chalk Dudleya is very Echeveria-like
 Size:
 1-2 ft tall
 1-2 ft wide (flower stalks wider)

 Growth form:
 Evergreen succulent
 Becomes somewhat dry in
summer

 Foliage:
 Leaves flat, end in sharp tips
 completely covered with a mealy
white powder - hence
"pulverulenta" or "powdery."
 Stem (caudex) becomes
thickened with age – more so
than other species
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DUPU
© Project SOUND
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=1536&account=none

Flowers are like no
others: dramatic!
 Blooms: spring/early
summer; typical for
Dudleyas

 Flowers:
 On long flowering stalks –
plan accordingly
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2606066487_0aaaf1ed09.jpg?v=0

 Note hummingbird-plant
features:
 Red color;
 Shape;
 Flowers held away from
plant to allow access
 Heavy duty, sweet
nectar
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/Anna%27s_Hummingbird_on_chalk_dudlea.jpg

http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/dudleyc5.htm © Project SOUND

Why Crassulaceae are called ‘Stonecrops’

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/02/sedum_spathulifolium.php
© Project SOUND

Give them what
they like…

 Plant them in/near rocks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/241664905/  Naturally occurring
 Local boulders brought in to
Dudleya pulverulenta
add interest

 Plant them on slopes – or
plant the rosette at an angle
rather than horizontal
 Water only occasionally
during summer – Zone 1-2
about right
 No overhead water in
summer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93452909@N00/191287029/

D. virens ssp. hassei © Project SOUND

Be creative with rocks
& Dudleyas

 Sometimes man-made stone
structures are perfect
places for Dudleyas
http://img4.sunset.com/i/2009/04/dream-gardens-stone-seat-l.jpg

http://www.marrsandersen.com/California-plants/California-
plants-Pages/Image28.html © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/241665013/in/photostream/

Silver Dollar Plant
Dudleya brittonii
 Baja native; widely
available in native plant
nurseries
 Large rosette - > 1 ft.
diameter
http://www.hotgardens.net/succulent_cactus_gallery.htm

 Brilliant white color;
extremely showy
 Requires excellent
drainage:
 Sandy or rocky soil
 Niches in rock walls
 Clay pots with well-
drained soil

© Project SOUND

http://image54.webshots.com/154/5/90/28/539959028nsjBLY_fs.jpg

Dudleya ‘Palos Verdes’ – a lucky accident
 Probably hybrid : D.
pulverulenta X D. brittonii
 Good characteristics of
both parents

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3232
© Project SOUND

Maintaining Dudleyas: fairly easy
 No pruning is necessary,
although dudleya will benefit
from a beheading (stem
cutting) if the plant becomes
old or tall and spindly.
 You may want to remove any
leaves which have died. This
will help to avoid rot and
bugs.
 Avoid touching the healthy
leaves - your body oils will
leave marks or remove farina.

© Project SOUND

Keeping Dudleyas healthy: summary
 Plant in well-drained soils, at an angle
 Water properly; depends on soils
 Promote good air circulation
 Don’t stress the plants: heat, cold
 Prevent & treat common problems:
 Aphids & Mealy bugs: prevent Argentine ants from
introducing mealybugs or aphids to your dudleyas -
Mealybugs particularly attack roots
 Snails & slugs: don’t over-water; remove
 Rabbits & deer: exclude from garden area
 For greatest success in cultivation, choose species
from your local area.
© Project SOUND

Designing with succulents

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gXhU4_V-Hhg78Lwpg9OOZQ

 Accent plants whether
alone or interplanted
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iiUK9e2RW16pM8msvsmB4g

© Project SOUND

Designing with succulents: use shape &
color contrasts to create
interest

Dudleya pulverulenta (l) & D. edulis (r)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72544341@N00/2310150657

© Project SOUND

Containers, plants & mulch should complement

Native succulents Dudleya pulverulenta
(chalk dudleya) Dudleya edulis (San Diego
dudleya) and a small Sedum spathulifolium
(stonecrop)
http://lasmmcnps.org/images/Dudleya%20pulverulenta%202.JPG
© Project SOUND

*Ladyfinger Live-forever – Dudleya edulis

 Orange, Riverside and
San Diego Counties
south to Baja
 Rocky slopes,
hillsides, ledges below
4000’
 coastal sage scrub,
chaparral

 edulis : edible

© Project SOUND

In the wild, grows on slopes or rock faces

http://www.kenbowles.net/sdwildflowers/FamilyIndexes/Crassulaceae/FotoIndex.htm

© Project SOUND
http://www.miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Plants.htm

Ladyfinger Dudleya: small and upright

 Size:
 to 1 ft tall
 1+ ft wide

 Growth form:
 Spreads by forming new
rosettes; may become mat-
like in right setting

 Foliage:
 Blue-green to light green
with white cast; may be pink
tinged
 Leaves finger-like, upright
© 2009 Aaron Schusteff

© Project SOUND

Ladyfinger flowers are
delicate & pretty

 Flowers:
 Pale color- range from
© 2005 Jasmine J. Watts white to light yellow or light
peach
 Open star shape – quaint
appearing
 Showy red or orange
anthers – really distinctive

http://www.kenbowles.net/sdwildflowers/FamilyIndexes/Crassulaceae/FotoIndex.htm © Project SOUND

Lady-fingers stars in pots or as
a ground cover
 Nice in a large pot – fills the pot or
plant with other species; place it
where you can enjoy the flowers

 Great groundcover on slopes or in
small areas; will fill in around rocks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/3526601427/  You can even use it as a house plant

© Project SOUND
http://www.kenbowles.net/sdwildflowers/FamilyIndexes/Crassulaceae/FotoIndex.htm

Who knows, we may be talking about rock
gardens in 2010…

http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610656.pdf

© Project SOUND

Hillsides work well
for cacti & succulents

 Promote plant health by
providing good drainage
 Allow the viewer to
see/appreciate each
species
 A fire-wise alternative
 Decrease challenges of
watering steep slopes

© Project SOUND
http://www.casperlandscape.com/22_view.html

Sometimes a small
succulent is needed

http://www.hotgardens.net/succulent_cactus_gallery.htm

Ladyfinger Dudleya would work
well – but there are others
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-really-small-succulent-
garden-050680

© Project SOUND

‘White Sprite’ – Dudleya gnoma

 Native to
Santa Rosa
Island – rare
in nature
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Dudleya_greenei  Small and
charming
 Readily
available
http://www.desert-
tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/Dudleya_gno
ma.html

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1531 © Project SOUND

More small-sized Dudleyas from S. CA
Dudleya attenuata ssp. orcuttii Dudleya cymosa ssp. pumila

© 2006 Steve Matson
© 2006 Steve Matson

© Project SOUND

Dudleyas are so versatile : formal or informal

http://kristamaxwell.com/garden/photos2.html

http://www.ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/more-showcase-2009-023-341x455.jpg © Project SOUND

Lance-leaf Dudleya
Dudleya lanceolata

 Local mountain ranges
including both coastal &
desert ranges; also Palos
Verdes peninsula
 Interesting foliage color
& shape
 Flowers very showy – hot
pink

http://kristamaxwell.com/garden/photos2.html

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/lanceleafdudleya.html
© Project SOUND

Have a sunny spot, clay soil? Consider a
Sedum
 The genus Sedum is composed of
around 400 species native mainly
to rocky, mountainous regions of
the Northern Hemisphere
 Sedum belongs to the plant family
Crassulaceae

http://www.villagegreenperennialnursery.com/images/sedums.jpg
 Many sedums are easygoing,
adaptable, and hardy
 Generally they prefer full sun or
light shade and moderately
fertile, well-drained soil.
 Most need some summer water

We have a cute little Sedum from the San
© 2008 Matt Below Gabriel Mtns
© Project SOUND

*Broadleaf Stonecrop – Sedum spathulifolium

 From the San Bernardino
and San Gabriel Mountains
to British Columbia
 Coastal cliffs, rocky
outcroppings and north
and east facing slopes,
often in somewhat shaded
places, to about 7500’
 Spring fed seeps or
rainfall moist much of our
winter and spring. In
summer they are bone dry.
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3284,3347,3366  Common companion plants
are mosses and liverworts.

© Project SOUND

Broadleaf Stonecrop looks like a garden succulent
 Size:
 < 1ft tall
 1-3 ft wide; spreading

 Growth form:
 Spreads quickly; mat-forming
 Stems are fragile; don’t walk on
© 2007 Neal Kramer

 Foliage:
 Leaves of coastal forms may be
chalky white, or even white
edged with red-purple.
 Mountain/inland forms have
vivid-green to blue-green leaves.
 Leaves are succulent, in tight
rosettes; ‘spoon-shaped’ hence
the name..
© Project SOUND

Flowers are typically
Stonecrop

 Blooms: usually May-July in W.
L.A. county.
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 Flowers:
 Bright yellow
 Star-like, on flowering stems
 Plants are self-fertile

 Seeds:
 Many tiny seeds
 Propagate like other
Crassulaceae

© Project SOUND

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