Grow a Purple Poppylike Succulent: Calandrinia (Cistanthe grandiflora, rock purslane)

Gray-green calandrinia (Cistanthe grandiflora) shrubs sit quietly, building their strength, from late summer to spring. Then, like the fireworks its flowers resemble, calandrinia shoots masses of eye-popping blooms skyward.
In this new video and on the corresponding page of my site, you'll find out how to keep these neon-bright plants looking their best, and where and how to use them in your garden.
HOW CALANDRINIA DIFFERS from similar-looking succulents, like kalanchoes and crassulas:
~Flower stems, thin as spaghetti, rise one to two feet above plants.
~Satiny magenta blooms that open in succession resemble poppies.
~It's from Chile. Most shrub succulents in CA gardens are from South Africa.
~Jades and kalanchoes melt at 32F. Calandrinia is hardy to 20F.
~It's great for backcountry gardens. Bunnies don't eat it.
FIND MORE INFO on the Calandrinia page of my site: debraleebaldwin.com/succulent...
GARDEN CREDITS: Poolside plantings: Ken and Barbara Kubarych; landscape with Aeonium 'Zwartkop': Francesca Filanc; "desert wildflower" garden: Peggy Petitmermet.
FERTILIZER TO ENHANCE FLOWERING: Osmocote Plus amzn.to/4aX5fsV (affiliate link)
LEARN MORE: Have a question about succulents not answered here? Use the Search bar at:
debraleebaldwin.com/
ONLINE SUCCULENT SOURCES
- Mountain Crest Gardens: bit.ly/2k5gxqA
BOOKS BY DEBRA LEE BALDWIN
- Designing with Succulents (mainly about in-ground gardening), amzn.to/2M7bBig
- Succulents Simplified (good overview for beginners), amzn.to/2Ewil2I
- Succulent Container Gardens, amzn.to/2VZvGeE
CONNECT WITH DEBRA
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ABOUT DEBRA
Award-winning garden photojournalist and bestselling author Debra Lee Baldwin shares her expertise about “plants that drink responsibly” in print, photos, videos and her “Celebrating the Joy of Succulents” newsletter. Debra is based in Southern California, home to more succulent specialty nurseries and growers than anywhere else in the world.
#calandrinia #cistanthe #rockpurslane #succulent #succulentgarden #cactiandsucculents #garden #gardenscapes #gardeningtips #gardening #gardentour #design #gardendesign #gardenideas #succulents_only

[@QueenofSucculents]

What do you like best/least about calandrinia? Is its flower color too much? 😈

[@robertbrewer2190]

I like the long bloom period and vigorous growth when happy. I find it becomes leggy on an annual basis and I start cuttings in pots to provide a well-defined display with a number of other plants. Neighbors have a low mound of a hedge as a base planting beneath a patio and it looks great for a very long time.

[@QueenofSucculents]

@@robertbrewer2190 Thanks, Robert! I love the idea of planting it beneath a patio. Sounds like it loves being there, too.

[@robertbrewer2190]

It faces south and borders a mowed lawn and the owner cuts it back severely each year . It recovers quickly and is a show for six months or more!@@QueenofSucculents

[@QueenofSucculents]

Did you know that many of my videos have corresponding pages on my site? They offer a quick way to grab info you need (and learn more) without re-watching. debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-plants/calandrinia-cistanthe-purslane/

[@raquelmano3594]

Thank you, Debra, for another informative video and good landscape sugestions. I didn't know calandrinia! It is always a pleasure to learn with you!

[@QueenofSucculents]

You sweet thing! Thank you 💜💟💜💟

[@anab.5839]

I’m in central Florida, and I just bought this plant. I hope it will do ok here. I’m planning to keep it in a dry sunny area

[@QueenofSucculents]

It should be fine if it doesn't get too much rain in summer.

[@tonyvargas368]

I’m in Phoenix. I planted these two years ago and they were beautiful. Unfortunately the heat did them in and they didn’t come back. I know better now so next time i plant them I will give them some afternoon shade.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Absolutely! Thanks for sharing your experience 💜

[@fishinthesea3454]

😍

[@devracooper5360]

sound is muffled. I love Calandrinia in my garden, so easy to grow and propagate, and it’s almost always in bloom. Beautiful color.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Are you on the coast? I'm curious where it grows that "it's almost always in bloom." Re the sound being muffled, it's fine on my end. I wonder if anyone else has had an issue with it.

[@devracooper5360]

@@QueenofSucculents yes , los osos next to morro bay.