About
A small, spreading, perennial sub-shrub to about 30cm from South Africa, with small, broadly ovate, hairy, mid-green leaves and short racemes of small, tubular, blue or mauve, two-lipped flowers with a white eye in summer. A compact and colourful sub-shrub for a warm, sunny, sharply-drained rock garden or cool glasshouse.
About the genus
Dudleya are a genus of around 45 species of succulent perennial plants. Formerly classified as Echeveria, they have green to grey fleshy leaves arranged in rosettes. Flowers appear on tall stems, up to a metre above the leaves.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toBaja California
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with the addition of extra sharp sand, or use proprietary peat-free cactus compost. A position in full or slightly filtered light is preferred at all times. During active growth, water moderately and apply a low-nitrogen fertiliser once a month from March to the beginning of May and from late August to October, but cease feeding in the summer dormancy period, when water should be withheld. Feeding in the winter in UK under glass is not required owing to low daylight levels and similarly, watering should also be reduced
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed at 16°C (61°F) in early spring or take stem cuttings from spring to summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, although may be susceptible to basal rots if watered out of season when dormant