If you are looking for water-wise, low maintenance plants, indigenous Crassula is just the plants you need. In South Africa, there are more than 150 species of Crassulas growing, and their shape, leaf colour, size and flowers set them apart from all the other members of the stonecrop family.
The best reason for growing Crassulas is their diversity. They are hardy, evergreen, easy-to-propagate and grow. They attract bees, butterflies and other insects to your garden. Crassulas are the right plants for any garden.
Crassulas are invaluable groundcovers –
Particularly in dry gardens. Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’, Crassula capitella ‘Red Pagoda’ and Crassula fragilis are great for covering up dry open spaces. For those dry shady spots, Crassula multicava is the one, and even Crassula fragilis can grow under dappled shady areas.
The foliage colour –
The Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’ foliage colour turns from lime green to rich orange and even red when exposed to the sun and water – a real eye-catcher. Crassula capitella ‘Red Pagoda’ and the Crassula ovata’s red edges, Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ or ‘Shrek’s Ears’ different texture and the Crassula ovata ‘Sunsets’ yellow edges are a good contrast against other green-leaved plants. Crassula ovata is a great flowering shrub for wintertime. It’s known by its common name, Jade Plant or Pink Joy because of its stunning display in winter. This is when it’s covered in masses of pale pink, star-shaped flowers. Bees and butterflies love them.
Crassulas are ideal plants for containers, vertical gardens, hanging baskets and retaining walls
Crassulas planted in containers can provide you with year-round interest and reduce the amount of time and money you spend. Container planting is ideal for those with little or no space for gardening. Crassula muscosa, with the common name ‘Rastafari’ – named for its dreadlock-like stems – is a good container plant, as well as Crassula ovata. Crassula pellucida and Crassula spathulata are great vertical gardens, hanging baskets or retaining wall plants.
Crassula tetragona and Crassula ovata make great bonsai specimens
Crassula tetragona can also be used as a living Christmas tree for years.
Crassula species can also be used as indoor plants –
Provided they have a warm sunny position close to a window.
Crassula species lives up to many expectations. They are wind resistant, tolerant of coastal conditions, grow easily in any well-drained soil with plenty of compost added. Note that they need to be watered sparingly in summer. The only thing Crassulas don’t like is frost.
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