New to our Sunnyvale garden in 2019… Echeveria derenbergii is an evergreen perennial succulent with a basal rosette of pagoda-shaped, frosted, fleshy leaves colored silvery-blue with bristly tips. In winter it bears clusters of bell-shaped yellow flowers with red tips .
Echeveria aggressively offsets from a young age, forming clusters quickly. Short arching racemes of golden-yellow flowers with red tips hang over those pastel rosettes of triangular leaves. Great for windowsill or dish garden culture. Also makes an attractive small mound in the landscape in areas without regular freezes. Bright light is required to prevent “stretching” of echeverias (stretching occurs when a moderately fast growing plant such as an echeveria, is grown in dim light or over-fertilized, which causes overly lush growth that contributes to weak, pallid plants).
Recommended pairings: Pachysedum ‘Ganzhou’, Mammillaria bocasana
Bloom time: Spring
Size: To 4 inches tall and 1-3 feet wide
Plant in porous, well-draining soil
Bright light with ample airflow
Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry to the touch
Hardiness: USDA Zone 9a (20-25° F)
Although they are fairly drought tolerant, they will become more spectacular with regular deep watering and fertilising. The hybrids tend to be less tolerant of frost and shade. In temperate climates, most species will lose their lower leaves in winter and become ‘leggy’ and less attractive.
