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Calandrinia spectabillis
JAZZ-TIME JADE
Rarely has there arrived such an exciting new plant to the landscape scene! This beautiful blue foliaged succulent plant is so incredibly tough that established plants can survive easily on our natural rainfall, and yet, produces hundred and hundreds of intense, carmine-pink flowers from late winter through fall. Rarely growing taller than 16" or so, it can spread to about 6' wide. About the only maintenance that needs to be done is to "weed-wack" back the copious amount of flower stems that are produced, so that fresh new ones can immediately emerge to continue on with the show. Upon close inspection, the 1-1 1/2 inch flowers look incredibly delicate, and reminiscent of some fleeting wild- flower seen during spring bloom in the desert, but don't be fooled because there is nothing fleeting about the flower season for this tough guy. Despite its juicy foliage, it is distasteful to the undiscriminating palette of rabbits, so it's great on slopes and edging up to chaparral and natural areas. Appreciates additional irrigations if so desired as long as not in a poor drainage situation. Full sun, or very slight filtered shade; cold hardy to mid 20s. In hot interior deserts similar to Palm Springs, Phoenix, etc. must have filtered shade, and performs beautifully in such situations.
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