1. Lance-leaf Dudleya (Liveforever) – Dudleya lanceolata
(DUD-lee-yuh lan-see-oh-LAY-tuh)
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)
Mountains & hills of Santa Barbara and Kern Cos. to northern Baja, and in desert
mountains; common on dry, rocky slopes in coastal sage scrub & chaparral, often on north-facing
slopes.
Native to:
Growth characteristics: perennial succulent
mature height: 6-24 in. mature width: 6-12 in.
Fleshy herbaceous perennial from a short stem. Leaves form loose rosettes of bluish-green, lanceshaped leaves with long tapered tips. Leaves blue-green, often curve upward at tips. Evergreen.
Blooms Apr-July. Stout heads of orange urn-shaped flowers. Flowering heads
head above plant – very distinctive and showy. Flowers yellow, waxy, tinged with orange-red.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used in rock gardens, cactus/succulent gardens or as specimen
plants. Also nice in containers, edging walkways, as a groundcover on rocky slopes.
plant. Foliage looks nice year-round. Young leaves can be eaten raw.
Fire-resistant
Sensible substitute for: Non-native succulents.
Hummingbirds seek the nectar and other birds eat seeds for food.
foliage in times of drought.
Attracts:
Animals & birds eat
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Best in light (filtered) shade; smaller in full sun
Any texture & local pH. Best in well-drained soils but tolerates clays as long as
summers are dry
Depends on soil. Summer water weekly in very well-drained soils. Can take very
little summer water. Don’t overwater and best if no overhead water – succulents
susceptible to fungal dz.
None needed
Gravel mulch or none
Plant at an angle to encourage good drainage and offsets (pups). Susceptible to
slugs/snails, aphids, mealybugs & fungal diseases. Plant where air circulation is good & be sure to
let ground dry out between waterings– don’t overwater.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: yes, in pots w/ sandy soil
by cuttings: leaf cuttings; offsets
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20
2/23/11
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