Native Succulents - notes

1/7/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Simply Succulent

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

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants June 6 & 9, 2009
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

It’s easy to fall in love with cacti & succulents This may (or may not) be your idea of
heaven on earth

http://www.dryscapes.eu/11.html
http://www.cactus-mall.com/pictures/pic00024.jpg

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

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

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

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1476610400079711680tHyVBV
http://image61.webshots.com/161/0/69/53/520706953KNboGn_fs.jpg

…and add interesting color & texture to Cacti & succulents can be valuable
many types of gardens additions to water-wise gardens

http://succulentplants.net/garden.htm
http://paradiseenvironments.com/OutdoorLiving/outdoor_living.htm

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And can be easy to grow, with minimal effort 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
http://www.ci.poway.ca.us/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=1146


Several types of succulence: Most, but not all, succulent plants are
from hot dry climates
 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. Salty Susan - Jaumea carnosa Pickleweed - Salicornia virginica
Examples: Manroot (Marah), Abronia, .
Combinations of the above types may occur where  Succulence developed for the same reason in
more than one organ is used to store water. saltmarsh plants – to allow the plant to conserve
Examples: Agave, Heliotropium curassavicum water
(Seaside Heliotrope)
© Project SOUND http://www.sanelijo.org/saltmarsh.html © Project SOUND

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What is a cactus (and how is it different Coastal S. CA has a unique plant
from other succulents)? community : Southern Cactus Scrub
 Cacti are a distinct plant family  Dominated by cacti and coastal sage scrub
(Cactaceae). species.

 They are plants of hot environments  Must be 20% or more cover of coastal prickly-
pear (Opuntia littoralis) and/or Oracle cactus
 They are perennial succulent plants with (Opuntia oricola).
thick stems usually covered with
spines. Spines are not all over the  In coastal areas, coastal cholla (Cylindropuntia/
surface but are borne in felty cushions Opuntia prolifera) may be a common
called areoles.  Other common species CA Encelia, California
 Sometimes mistakenly called leaves, the sagebrush, buckwheat, black sage (Salvia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liamkestrel/3383069515/

joints of prickly pears are flattened You can use the Cactus mellifera), and Mexican elderberry (Sambucus
stems. True leaves, if not completely mexicana).
Scrub community as
absent, usually are very small and inspiration for your  The understory is frequently composed of
inconspicuous and soon fall away. foothill needlegrass, bent grass (Agrostis spp.),
garden
and a variety of herbaceous forb species.
 The more than 1500 different
species of cacti are native to the  Occurs primarily on south-facing slopes on low
foothills away from the immediate coast.
Western Hemisphere, from Canada
to Patagonia.

The genus Optuntia Coastal Prickly-pear - Opuntia littoralis
 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.
© 2002 Lynn Watson

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Chaparral Pricklypear – Opuntia oricola 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://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Opuntia_oricola
http://www.arizonagift.com/convention_mini_gifts.htm
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_oricola.htm
© Project SOUND http://www.sacatomato.com/2008/06/cooking_with_diana_kennedy.html © Project SOUND

Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera
Cylindropuntia

© 2004 Vince Scheidt

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

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Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera Coastal cacti depend on summer fogs

 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
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Coastal Cholla is a medium-sized cactus
But they really are quite drought tolerant
 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
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm
Opuntia-type cacti



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Flowers are fantastic Cactus flowers: unique and showy
 Blooms:  Showy, colorful petals – attract insect
 Spring-summer pollinators;
 Usually Apr-June or July  many different insects visit the flowers
 Flowers open over several  bees are most common pollinators
weeks
 Sweet-scented (many)
 Flowers:
 Male (stamen) organs can move toward
 Small (for cactus) – 1-2 inches
the center of the flowers when touched
 Magenta to dark (burgandy) red (thigmotropic).
 Very bright & showy
 Happens very quickly on a hot day
 Seeds:  Explanation:
 Often sterile – we’ll learn why  May force pollen onto the bodies of
pollinators (bees) to assist in cross
in a second pollination
 ? Role in getting flowers pollinated quickly
 Vegetative reproduction: so excess energy not spent in reproduction?
 Most common means of  ? keeps non-pollinators from ‘stealing’ the
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/coastcholla.html reproduction; segments break pollen?
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm off easily © Project SOUND http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/chollac2.htm © Project SOUND

Opuntia fruits are often fleshy, brightly colored Growth requirements for  Soils:
 Texture: well-drained soils;
 Adapted for hot, dry
local Opuntia-type Cacti sandy or gravelly/rocky the
conditions best
 Keep seed/embryo moist &  pH: any local, including alkali
protected during seed
development  Light:
 Attract birds/animals once  Full sun in most gardens
seed is ready to spread  Some afternoon shade fine in
 Develop sweet flesh very hot gardens
 Color becomes more dark-
red/purple once seeds are  Water:
fully developed
 Winter: winter rains usually
 This cholla has sterile seeds adequate
 Sterile hybrid – probably  Summer: likes to be fairly dry
between several species now
found only in Mexico (C. (Zones 1 to 1-2; Zone 2 in pots)
alcahes X C. cholla )
http://ucbglcs.blogspot.com/
 Note: fruits are green – not  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
red – and not particularly good
to eat http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6342  Other: use a rock mulch, if any

http://www.sanpedrorivervalley.org/old_road_byway.htm

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Garden uses for local
Opuntia-type cacti Some people use
 Good choice for coastal habitat gardens Opuntia-type cacti
 Habitat for coastal cactus wren (rare)
 Insects and hummingbirds drawn to
for hedges
flowers
 Birds and mammals eat the fruits
 Some mammals/lizards actually live http://www.backtonatives.org/nativelandscapes.htm
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
And they work pretty
 In large planters/containers
well
 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://content.ci.pomona.ca.us/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Frasher&CISOPTR=6863&CISOBOX=1&REC=20
© Project SOUND
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm

You may have heard of ‘Jumping Chollas’ Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi

 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

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1053071767036424719YtiPgK

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Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi In nature: Catalina Island
 San Clemente Island,
Santa Catalina Island,
Coastal Orange Co.,
southern San Diego Co.
 AKA ‘Goldensnake cactus’



Characteristics of Golden-spined Cereus Flowers are showy
 Size:  Blooms:
 1-2 ft tall  Late spring – typical for
coastal cacti
 3-5+ ft wide; spreading
 Usually Apr-Jul. in our area
 Growth form:
 Flowers:
 Evergreen cactus
 Lovely lemon yellow
 Many upright, cylindrical
stems  ~ 2” wide
 Long bloom period – open
 Foliage: over a period of time
 No leaves  Showy indeed!
 Fragile, glass-like spines -
many
 Fruits: red, globular, sweet;
loved by birds, animals

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

© 2007 John M. Taylor

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Garden uses for
Plant Requirements  Soils:
 Texture: any local; well- smaller native cacti
drained is better
 pH: any local  Attractive as pot plants
 Light: full sun to light shade  In a cactus/succulent garden
 Water:  In a local coastal garden with
 Winter: likes good winter it’s natural associates: Coyote
rains; supplement if needed Bush, Sticky Monkeyflower,
© 2007 Halleh Paymard

 Summer: like to be dry in Lemonadeberry, local native
summer: Zone 1-2 probably grasses and annual wildflowers
optimal
 Note: plant is rare in CA, still
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils common in Baja
 Other: inorganic mulch  Fire-retardant plant

http://cactiguide.com/Bergerocactus.htm

Propagating cacti from cuttings – easy (at Be careful of all the spiny structures when
least in theory) working with cacti
 Carefully remove a pad or offset  The glochids get into
(cut or pull off) your skin and are very
irritating. If you cannot
 Let the wound callus over (a get them out, you end up
week to up to a month) with something that
resembles an infected
 Place pad (wounded side down) in mosquito bite.
potting mix (I use commercial
mix with added perlite or sand)  Preferred method of
removal: apply sticky
 Place in bright shade tape to them and lift
 Water when soil begins to dry them out. Glochids are
out generally too fine to be
grasped with tweezers.
 Wait – may take a while


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1/7/2013

Purchasing native cacti & succulents Local cacti, Yucca & Agaves are great for
those out-of-the way slopes
 Many native species
are rare or
endangered
 Never collect in
nature without a
permit
 Buy only from
http://calplants.biz/yuccawhipplei.html
reputable dealers



*Our Lord’s Candle – Hesperoyucca (Yucca) whipplei 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
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting

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Yuccas are pollinated by The Agaves – genus Agave
special ‘Yucca Moths’
 Closely related to the Yuccas – both in
 Self pollination of Yucca Agavaceae Family
flowers of many species is
impossible, although a few are  Agaves are not cacti (or even closely
self-fertile. related to cacti) - are closely related
to the lily and amaryllis families
 Most Yuccas are pollinated  Primarily from Mexico, but also occur
exclusively by small Yucca in the southern and western United
moths with the plant and moth States and central and tropical South
totally dependent on each America.
other.
 Have a large rosette of thick fleshy
 Recent research has shown that leaves, each ending generally in a sharp
there are at least 16 different point and with a spiny margin;
Yucca Moths (Tegeticula  The stout stem (caudex) is usually
species) - all are specialized in short - the leaves appear to arise
pollinating their "own" Yucca from the root.
species.

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

The Agaves – genus Agave *Coastal Agave – Agave shawii
 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



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*Coastal Agave – Agave shawii Shaw’s Agave in maritime shrub community
 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


Plant associates include many from our
Shaw’s Agave – stunning in the right place
coastal shrub & prairie communities
 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.

© Project SOUND © 2006 Steve Matson © Project SOUND
http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html

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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.

http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm

Growing Agaves  Soils: Agaves make great
 Texture: any as long as
- well-drained soil drainage is good; love sandy,
accent plants
rocky soils
 pH: any local except low pH (<6)  In very large pots/planters
– remember, these are
 Light: large plants
 Coastal – full sun
 Hot, inland gardens – light
 Look wonderful in
(afternoon) shade hillsides/slopes
http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm

 Water:  Looks equally at home with
 Winter: needs good drainage; other cacti & succulents –
plant on slopes, or other well- or with coastal
drained situations prairie/shrubland plants
 Summer: Like to be fairly dry
 Good player in a rock
(Zone 1-2; water several times
per summer); no overhead garden
water
 Excellent accent against
 Fertilizer: none; like poor soils gray-green foliage
http://www.sbbg.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=livingcollections.plantDetail&plant_id=28

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Agave & Yucca as food and fiber Agave attenuata: a Mexican species
available in the U.S.

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

Agave ‘Blue Flame’ Cacti & succulents from Baja & other
parts of Mexico, SW U.S.
 Combines the features of its
parent species: A. shawii X
A. attenuata

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

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

Lots of wonderful species – but are they right for my yard?
http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ISI2005/isi/2005-06.html

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Using species from CA & SW desert regions The same advice goes for
 Contrary to popular belief, succulents from other places
western L.A. county is not
‘a desert’  Know as much as you can about
 Challenges for using desert their requirements
cacti/succulents:  Be sure that you group
 Soil must be well-drained compatible plants – just because
 Wet years and fog may kill they are succulent doesn’t mean
the plants – fungal http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=3666 they have the same requirements
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://sdccs-oasis.blogspot.com/2008/02/bring-your-succulent-cuttings-your-old.html
© Project SOUND
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nm/top-national-monuments-7.html

Our local climate allows us to grow special succulents The Stonecrop Family: Crassulaceae
– the Dudleyas
 ~ 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.
Dudleyas thrive in our mild,  Sedums are well known for hardy mat-forming
Stonecrops which provides useful flower color in
coastal-influenced the garden in late summer and early autumn.
Mediterranean climate
© Project SOUND Kalanchoe © Project SOUND

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The Live-forevers: genus Dudleya Many Dudleyas have small or threatened
distribution: some are very rare
 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 Dudleya greenii – a Channel
United States (in particular, Southwest/ Islands endemic
Northern California and Oregon), Baja
California.
 Very similar in appearance to other
Stonecrops (sempervivum; sedum;
echeveria).
Like many California native plants, dudleyas are now considered
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Rus
sell_Dudley_(1849-1911).jpg 
 Often grow in stone crevasses or sand rare, threatened or endangered, depending on the species. All are
protected by law, making it illegal to remove any plants from their
dunes with little or no organic soil. natural habitat.
 Long-lived (to 100+ years for some  More are coming into cultivation – but many still are not available
species) hence the common name

Taxonomic confusion: is that an Dudleya flowers are slightly different
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
 Dudleya flowers arise from somewhere near the bottom of
 Several local species were formerly included in Echeveria: the rosettes normally (rarely from the rosette center as
 Canyon Live-forever – Dudleya cymosa most Echeveria flowers do).
 Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta
 Ladyfinger Dudleya – Dudleya edulis  Dudleyas & Echeverias do not form hybrids between the 2
genera; Dudleyas only interbreed with other Dudleyas

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So…it’s recommended to NOT combine both in
But the real difference – and the most important for
the same part of the garden
gardeners – relates to their history
 Summer watering of Dudleyas
 Dudleyas should be very occasional: they are
 Native to the ‘Pacific Plate’
 Adapted to rainy winters & hot, dry
very summer ‘water-wise’ compared
summers to Echeverias
 Winter-growing; summer dormant
 Can kill them with too much summer  Most Dudleyas & Echeverias do best in
water well-drained soils; gravelly/sandy
 Echeverias  The roots of some Dudleya species do
Dudleya virens ssp hassei
 Native to the ‘North American Plate’ not absorb moisture well in the high
 Adapted to rainy summers & dry winters heat; water simply rots the roots
 Summer growing; winter dormant
 Can kill them with too much winter
(susceptible to root rot fungi).
water
 Treat as Zone 1-2 (water only several
times a summer & not at summer’s end)
The two genera have been separated for long
enough that each is very well adapted to its  Dudleyas in very well-drained soils
own environment (sandy) or in pots should be treated as
© Project SOUND http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.as
Zone 2 © Project SOUND
p?plant_id=538

 Dudleyas can also rot from the Container gardens – allow you to provide
crown or leaves, particularly if
water is left sitting on the delicate just the right conditions
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
http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/documents/2005-200610656.pdf
© Project SOUND

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Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens ssp hassei Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens ssp insularis


Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens Characteristics of ssp. hassei
 Size:
 Two local subspecies:  < 6 in. tall
 ssp. hassei – Catalina  1-2 ft wide
 ssp. insularis – Palos  Growth form:
Verdes, S. Channel
 Spreading clump of
Islands succulent rosettes
 Evergreen; dries in
 On steep slopes in summer
chaparral, coastal
bluff scrub, and  Foliage:
 Succulent, cylindrical
coastal sage scrub
leaves
habitats below 1000  Color: blue-green to more
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?Dudleya+virens
ft. yellow-green

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

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Characteristics of ssp. insularis Dudleya flowers are
 Size: a bit bigger
usually showy
 ~ 1 ft tall  Blooms:
 1-2+ ft wide  Generally are mid-late spring-
bloomers
 Growth form:
 Usually Apr-June even July in
 Spreading clump of succulent
S. Bay
rosettes
 Evergreen; dries in summer  Flowers:
 In general small; < ¾ inch
 Foliage:
 Many flowers on flowering
 Succulent, cylindrical leaves
stems held above or away from
 Color: blue-green to more the foliage
yellow-green; usually more
 Often yellow, orange, pink or
glaucus (white farina) than
red; may be pale or bright
ssp. hassei
 Often light fragrance
 Flowers: pale pink-yellow on  Great hummingbird flowers!
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting brighter pink stalk

Plant Requirements  Soils: Dudleyas in the
 Texture: best in light, well-
for Dudleya virens drained soil, but can succeed in garden
many gardens
 pH: any local  Attractive pot plants
 Light:  Good for succulent
 Full sun only in coastal area ground-covers (best in
 Light shade (afternoon shade) in
hotter inland gardens; needs
small areas; smaller
enough sun for good color, shape http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2987 varieties (spp. hassei)
work best)
 Water:
 Winter: needs good winter rains  Excellent choice for rock
 Summer: keep fairly dry – Zone gardens, dry-stone walls,
1-2 best
retaining walls
 Fertilizer: likes poor soils; can
lightly fertilize (1/5 strength) in  Bordering paths or in
winter (esp. in pots) fronts of dry beds
© 2005 BonTerra Consulting © Project SOUND  On hillsides, slopes © Project SOUND

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Growing Dudleyas in containers Other considerations for growing Dudleyas
 Dudleyas grow well in pots and  Bright light is integral to the proper
make excellent outdoor growth of this genus.
specimens in Mediterranean  Plants grown in low-light will lose their
climates. color, grow tall and spindly and will
eventually die.
 Potting soil should be very well-
draining; amend potting soils with  Most Dudleyas make poor houseplants
sharp sand and pumice to insure
good drainage.  Most Dudleyas do best with moderate
temperatures - protect from
 Watering: treat as Zone 2; blistering afternoon heat, frosts
monitor carefully in hot weather (particularly if in pots)
 Light: afternoon shade or bright  Potting soil should be very well-
shade best draining; use a cactus mix or amend
Dudleya farinosa
 Propagation: easiest by removing available soils with sharp sand and
rooted offsets (pups), but can be pumice to insure good drainage.
from seed

Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta ssp. pulverulenta 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

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

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Chalk Dudleya is very Echeveria-like
Striking, large plant in the Santa Monica Mtns
 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
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_pulverulenta.htm
than other species
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DUPU
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=1536&account=none

Flowers are like no
others: dramatic!
Why Crassulaceae are called ‘Stonecrops’
 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.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/02/sedum_spathulifolium.php
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/dudleyc5.htm © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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Give them what Be creative with rocks
they like… & Dudleyas

 Plant them in/near rocks  Sometimes man-made stone
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/241664905/  Naturally occurring structures are perfect
 Local boulders brought in to
Dudleya pulverulenta
add interest
places for Dudleyas
 Plant them on slopes – or
http://img4.sunset.com/i/2009/04/dream-gardens-stone-seat-l.jpg

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/

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

Silver Dollar Plant
Dudleya ‘Palos Verdes’ – a lucky accident
Dudleya brittonii
 Probably hybrid : D.
 Baja native; widely pulverulenta X D. brittonii
available in native plant
nurseries  Good characteristics of
both parents
 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
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3232
http://image54.webshots.com/154/5/90/28/539959028nsjBLY_fs.jpg

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Keeping Dudleyas healthy: summary
Maintaining Dudleyas: fairly easy
 Plant in well-drained soils, at an angle
 No pruning is necessary,  Water properly; depends on soils
although dudleya will benefit
from a beheading (stem  Promote good air circulation
cutting) if the plant becomes
old or tall and spindly.  Don’t stress the plants: heat, cold
 You may want to remove any  Prevent & treat common problems:
leaves which have died. This  Aphids & Mealy bugs: prevent Argentine ants from
will help to avoid rot and introducing mealybugs or aphids to your dudleyas -
bugs. Mealybugs particularly attack roots
 Avoid touching the healthy  Snails & slugs: don’t over-water; remove
leaves - your body oils will  Rabbits & deer: exclude from garden area
leave marks or remove farina.
 For greatest success in cultivation, choose species
from your local area.

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

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

 Accent plants whether
alone or interplanted Dudleya pulverulenta (l) & D. edulis (r)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iiUK9e2RW16pM8msvsmB4g

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


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Containers, plants & mulch should complement
*Ladyfinger Live-forever – Dudleya edulis

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
© 2000 Salvatore Zimmitti

*Ladyfinger Live-forever – Dudleya edulis In the wild, grows on slopes or rock faces

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

 edulis : edible

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

http://www.miriameaglemon.com/photogallery/Plants.htm

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Ladyfinger Dudleya: small and upright
Ladyfinger flowers are
 Size: delicate & pretty
 to 1 ft tall
 1+ ft wide
 Flowers:
 Growth form:  Pale color- range from
 Evergreen succulent © 2005 Jasmine J. Watts white to light yellow or light
 Spreads by forming new peach
rosettes; may become mat-  Open star shape – quaint
like in right setting
appearing
 Foliage:  Showy red or orange
 Blue-green to light green anthers – really distinctive
with white cast; may be pink
tinged
 Leaves finger-like, upright
© 2009 Aaron Schusteff

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

Lady-fingers stars in pots or as
Or you can increase the drainage by
a ground cover
creating small berms
 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

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

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From lawn to
Who knows, we may be talking about rock succulent garden…
gardens in 2010…

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

http://www.indahbulan.com/tantenbaum.html


Hillsides work well
for cacti & succulents Sometimes a small
succulent is needed
 Promote plant health by
providing good drainage
 Allow the viewer to
see/appreciate each
species
 A fire-wise alternative
 Decrease challenges of http://www.hotgardens.net/succulent_cactus_gallery.htm

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

http://www.casperlandscape.com/22_view.html

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More small-sized Dudleyas from S. CA
‘White Sprite’ – Dudleya gnoma Dudleya attenuata ssp. orcuttii Dudleya cymosa ssp. pumila

 Native to
Santa Rosa
Island – rare
in nature
© 2006 Steve Matson

 Small and
© 2006 Steve Matson
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Dudleya_greenei

charming
 Readily
available
http://www.desert-
tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/Dudleya_gno
ma.html

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

Dudleyas are so versatile : formal or informal 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
http://kristamaxwell.com/garden/photos2.html

pink

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

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

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Have a sunny spot, clay soil? Consider a *Broadleaf Stonecrop – Sedum spathulifolium
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 © 2003 Tim Sullivan


*Broadleaf Stonecrop – Sedum spathulifolium A pleasant surprise in San Gabriels

 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.
http://socalbutterflies.com/plants_html/sedum_spath.htm

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Broadleaf Stonecrop looks like a garden succulent Flowers are typically
 Size:
Stonecrop
 < 1ft tall
 1-3 ft wide; spreading
 Blooms: usually May-July in W.
 Growth form: L.A. county.
 Evergreen succulent
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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

 Star-like, on flowering stems
 Foliage:  Plants are self-fertile
 Leaves of coastal forms may be  Seeds:
chalky white, or even white
edged with red-purple.  Many tiny seeds
 Mountain/inland forms have  Propagate like other
vivid-green to blue-green leaves. Crassulaceae
 Leaves are succulent, in tight
rosettes; ‘spoon-shaped’ hence
the name..

Vegetative propagation of succulents: easy Sedums – so easy  Sedums thrive in sunny places,
but they will also manage well
enough in partial shade.
 Divisions (all succulents):
 They’re among the easiest of
 In the spring, dig around the outside of the
mother plant with a trowel and pry away a few perennials. Stick them in clay soil
stems with roots on them. and they thrive, plant them in
 Cut back each stem, leaving just one or two rocky places and they flourish.
pairs of leaves, and either pot it up or plant it
directly in the ground.  If you want them to grow quickly
 Stem/leaf cuttings (not Dudleyas): and heartily, mulch with a little
compost.
 Simply cut off about 6 inches of the stem tip,
strip off the lowest set of leaves, and cut the  You can water them on the same
remaining upper leaves in half.
schedule as your other hardy
 Stick each cutting in damp sand, firming it in perennials or treat them with
so that it’s snug, and in a few weeks your
cuttings will have formed roots. benign neglect - their succulent
leaves store water, making them
 To determine when the cuttings have enough
roots to plant, tug on them lightly from time drought-tolerant.
http://www.cactuscenter.com/Sedum%20reflexum.jpg
to time. When you feel resistance, the root
system has established itself.
© 2007 Neal Kramer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vsny/128010334/in/set-72057594106082534/

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Sedum spathulifolium Sedum spathulifolium
ssp. pruinosum ‘Purpureum’
‘Cape Blanco’
 Purple-red foliage, with
 Outstanding white white centers
http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/nativeplants/Sedum_spathulifoliumCapeBlanco.html
foliage http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/perennials/Sedum_spathulifoliumPurpureum.html
 Really showy!
 Dense rosettes

https://appserver1.kwantlen.ca/apps/plantid/plantid.nsf/lookup/4572A7F6E488932B88256F020064A798?OpenDocument http://www.findmeplants.co.uk/plant-sedum--spathulifolium-2064.aspx

Sedum spathulifolium Sedum spathulifolium
‘Blood Red’ ‘Carnea’

 The name says it all –  Cute little guy (< 6
truly red tipped inches) with pink-
foliage purple tinged foliage

 Nice contrast with
white foliage plants or
pink-flowering plants

© Project SOUND http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=4255 © Project SOUND

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Garden uses for Where to go for design inspiration?
Sedums: the sky’s the
limit

© 2004, Ben Legler
http://www.succulent-plant.com/tufa.html
There are many good books that are a good starting place – but
Sedum spathulifolium 'Cape Blanco’, 'Purpureum' the best option is to see our native succulents growing in local
© Project SOUND
gardens © Project SOUND

Local gardens for inspiration
Let’s go see some succulents!
 Local native plant gardens
 Huntington Library gardens
 L.A. Arboretum
 South Coast Botanic Garden
 Getty Center

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


32

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