Senecio mandraliscae “Blue Chalk Sticks”
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Senecio mandraliscae makes a vibrant blue-green colored, fast-growing ground cover. Commonly called “Blue Chalk Sticks” for its bright blue color, Senecio mandraliscae has pencil-like or chalk-shaped leaves that are slightly curved upward. This spreading plant produces stems that crawl along the ground and eventually form fairly dense mats.
Senecio mandraliscae is quite well suited to lawn edges, borders and even median strips. Very drought-tolerant, but also adaptable — Senecio mandraliscae can adjust to regular watering and will grow more quickly with regular irrigation.
Keep this fast-grower under control by breaking off stems and replanting them elsewhere. In spring, Senecio mandraliscae produces small white daisy-like flowers followed by typical dandelion-like seed puffs.
The blue-green color of Senecio mandraliscae makes it an excellent contrast to deep burgundy aeoniums, phormiums and other dark-foliaged plants. It works well in containers alone, or combined with other succulents, and in all kinds of xeriscape plantings. Propagation and maintenance is very easy. Plants should be removed and rerooted every three years or so. As the stem becomes longer it seems to grow slower. So every three years or so we dig up an area refresh it and replant with new cuttings. Don’t try this method during the peak summer months or all you get is fried cuttings. Better to refresh bed during mild months.
Senecio mandraliscae also produces a very interesting “Pine” like fragrance when some leaves are crushed in the hand.
Bonus: Senecio mandraliscae tolerates salt spray and can therefore be used in coastal succulent landscapes.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Kleinia mandraliscae, Kleinia comptonii, Senecio talinoides mandraliscae, Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae
Common Names: Blue Chalk Sticks, Blue Finger, Kleinia
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: South Africa
Size Label: 1 Gallon
Height: 1-2′
Width: 2-3′
Cold Tolerance: 15 to 20°F, -9.4 to -6.7°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high heat tolerance
Light Requirement: Full sun to light shade
Water needs: Drought tolerant
Maintenance: Remove dead flowers and stalks as desired. Plants should be removed and rerooted every three years or so. As the stem becomes longer it seems to grow slower. So every three years or so we dig up an area refresh it and replant with new cuttings. Don’t try this method during the peak summer months or all you get is fried cuttings. Better to refresh bed during mild months.
Uses: This succulent ground cover is well suited to lawn edges, borders and even median strips as it is drought tolerant but can take regular water. Its blue green color makes it an excellent contrast to deep burgundy aeoniums, phormiums and other dark foliaged plants. It works well in containers alone or combined with other succulents. Senecio mandraliscae also is good in xeriscape plantings. This plant tolerates salt spray.
Propagation: This plant is easily propagated from cuttings and can also be grown from seed.
Problems: Prefers well draining soils and requires them in wet, humid climates.
Research Links:
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1498
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57976/
http://plantlust.com/plants/senecio-mandraliscae/
http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Asteraceae/18205/Senecio_mandraliscae
Shipping & Availability
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There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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