Gardening Guides
Great Design Plant: Blue Chalk Sticks
Great color and texture make this drought-tolerant succulent a favorite for landscape designs
Heavy rains and prime growing conditions may be in the forecast for gardens across the country, to the delight of the gardeners everywhere. Yet every year, October still manages to be a season with devastating fires and drought for some parts of the country. Approach this challenge proactively by choosing to plant blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae). Not only is it an attractive drought tolerant solution, Senecio is also fire resistant — perfect for firewise landscaping.
The staff at Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture can’t get enough of the plant. “Senecio is one of our favorite plants to use. It adds structure and texture to any planting plan. It fills in large areas quickly, looks good year-round and only needs seasonal grooming to nip off the flower stalks. It’s not a fussy plant and will grow in a variety of soils. Best of all, it’s a low water user and perfect for our climate.”
The staff at Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture can’t get enough of the plant. “Senecio is one of our favorite plants to use. It adds structure and texture to any planting plan. It fills in large areas quickly, looks good year-round and only needs seasonal grooming to nip off the flower stalks. It’s not a fussy plant and will grow in a variety of soils. Best of all, it’s a low water user and perfect for our climate.”
Distinguishing traits. Senecio has two unbeatable design features going for it: color and texture. The dense sprawling mat of cool grayish-blue creates a solid field of this soothing and subtle color, while 3-4" long leaves jut up from the ground like fleshy oceanic spikes.
An evergreen succulent, this plant will provide colorful interest in your garden throughout the year with an insignificant white flower appearing in summer.
An evergreen succulent, this plant will provide colorful interest in your garden throughout the year with an insignificant white flower appearing in summer.
How to use it. “The chalky blue color is striking with greens and dark purples and is a great foil to splashes of hot orange,” says designer Jamie Morf. Whether you plant this spreading plant as a groundcover or a container plant, freely use it to highlight contrasting golden tones — notice how well the blue foliage of the Senecio complements the rich red color of the single container in this garden.
Thriving in well-drained soil, go as far as to plant Senecio in a gravel bed for the ultimate in clean design. Whether lining a garden path or framing a courtyard, the foliage of Senecio mandraliscae gracefully cascades in from the edges like an approaching textural wave.
Thriving in well-drained soil, go as far as to plant Senecio in a gravel bed for the ultimate in clean design. Whether lining a garden path or framing a courtyard, the foliage of Senecio mandraliscae gracefully cascades in from the edges like an approaching textural wave.
Before you plant. Hardy to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, your Senecio may need to take shelter in the house if your region sees freezing temperatures. It's tolerant of any amount of heat. Make sure to keep your plant in well-drained soil, preferably sand-based. And while a loose sprawling specimen is always attractive, you can easily keep the Senecio compact and at a desired shape through pruning.
More:
Great Design Plant: Walker's Low Catmint
Great Design Plant: Slipper Plant
Great Design Plant: New Zealand Wind Grass
More:
Great Design Plant: Walker's Low Catmint
Great Design Plant: Slipper Plant
Great Design Plant: New Zealand Wind Grass
Common names: Blue chalk sticks; blue finger and blue fries
USDA zones: 9-12
Water requirement: Low water needs but tolerant of regular irrigation; don’t overwater
Sun requirement: Full sun to light shade in arid climates
Mature size: 1-2' h x 2-3' spread
Tolerances: Drought tolerant, high wind, second line salt wind
Environmental benefits: Attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds; fire resistant