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Succulents

More information about succulents is available from the Cactus and Succulent Society of America

Echevaria

Echevaria is a succulent rosette-forming perennial. The plant is 6-8 inches tall or mat forming depending on species. Flowering stalks can grow up to 3 feet with red, pink or yellow blooms. Leaves may be green, white or purple depending on species. Plant it in partial shade for best results. It is excellent in rock gardens or walls and extremely drought tolerant.

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DUDLEYA

Dudleya is another succulent rosette-forming perennial. The plant is 6-8 inches tall and is often found growing in rocky banks. Flowering stalks can grow up to 3 feet with red, pink or yellow blooms. Plant it in partial shade for best results. It is excellent in rock gardens or walls and extremely drought tolerant.

• COMMON NATIVE SPECIES:

  • Chalk live-forever or Chalk lettuce (Dudleya pulverulenta) can be found in rocky locations and roadside banks. See picture below. It remains dormant from early fall to mid-spring.

Chalk lettuce

PROPAGATION:

• Plant offsets in any season. Shelter from hot sun and wind until roots form nicely. Easy to transplant.
• Plant in full sun.

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Hen and Chicks ( also called House Leek (Sempervivum))

• Evergreen, succulents that form dense mats. Most are extremely drought tolerant. Rosettes die after flowering, but form new rosettes on lateral runners to replace the mother plant. Plant in full sun, in lean soil amended with grit or sand.

PROPAGATION:

• Plant offsets in any season. Shelter from hot sun and wind until roots form nicely. Easy to transplant.

TALINUM

Talinum is a perennial that blooms in spring.

• Needs occasional water in dry, hot weather.
  

PROPAGATION:

• Talinum may be started from seed in spring. Protect until the plants near full size. They transplant easily from purchased plants.
  

SOURCES:

• Mail order sources

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HESPERALOE

Texas Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a succulent perennial similar to Yucca. It is native to high desert regions of New Mexico and Texas. It is still experimental here; should be ok to zero degrees. It is drought tolerant after it matures. Blooms in spring and is a hummingbird magnet.

MEMBER TESTIMONIAL:

I kept it for three years then lost it in the 2003 fire. Next, I 'released it' to my wild garden too soon and it dried out while still an infant! Third time will tell the tale. It is worth the attempt if you love desert gardens.

When young, it needs occasional water in dry, hot weather.

PROPAGATION:

• Hesperaloe may be started from seed in spring. Protect until the plants near full size. It also transplants from purchased plants.
  

SOURCES:

• High Country Garden

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