Bright Green Dudleya is a succulent plant native to coastal Southern California and nearby islands. It grows 1 foot tall and 1-3 feet wide, forming a rosette of cylindrical leaves that end in pointed tips. In late spring, it produces light yellow to white fragrant flowers. There are two subspecies: ssp. hassei, which is low-growing to 6 inches and from Catalina Island only, and ssp. insularis, which is slightly taller and endemic to several islands off Southern California. Both spread through underground stems. Bright Green Dudleya prefers full sun, well-draining soil, and very little summer watering once established. It is suitable for rock gardens, walls, containers, and

1. Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens
(DUD-ley-uh VI-rens)
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)
Native to: Local coast of S. CA; ssp. insularis is endemic to Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Clemente
& Catalina Islands while ssp. hassei is only from Catalina Island. Grow on coastal bluffs and steep
slopes in chaparral, coastal bluff scrub, and coastal sage scrub below 1300 ft. elevation.
Growth characteristics:
clumping succulent
mature height: 1 ft.
mature width: 1-3 ft.
Of the two, ssp. hassei is more low growing (to 6”) and petite while ssp. insularis is slightly taller,
forming a robust rosette. Both species sucker, forming new plants (pups) from the base. Both are
slow growing, with succulent, cylindrical leaves that end in a pointed tip. Ssp. hassei sometimes has
more blue-green while ssp. insularis is more yellow-green to very white in color.
Blooms late spring (May-June) most years. Flowers on relatively low, branched
flowering stalks above the foliage. Flowers light yellow/gold to almost white, fragrant, showy.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Excellent addition to rock garden or growing in/on dry stone walls & retaining
walls.
Wonderful in pots (use a rock mulch).
Lovely & unusual as a ground cover or lining
pathways. Good on slopes. Plant where you can enjoy the fragrant & showy flowers.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native succulents like Ice Plant, Echeveria species.
Attracts: Hummingbirds love the flowers; seed-eating birds like the seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part shade (in hot, inland gardens).
Well-drained soils (rocky/sandy) preferred; ssp. hassei tolerates clays better.
Keep fairly dry in summer (Zone 1-2 best); plant rosette on angle to promote good
drainage from leaves.
None in ground; 1/5 strength fertilizer in winter/spring for pot plants
Fairly easy to grow. Don’t over-water; no overhead water in summer to promote
plant health (susceptible to fungal diseases). Remove rosette from old plants & replant it.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: yes; small seeds
by cuttings/offsets: relatively easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 8, 14, 20
6/2/09
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