Senecio serpens (Blue Chalksticks)

Senecio serpens (Blue Chalksticks) Details

Senecio serpens, commonly known as Blue Chalksticks, is a succulent grown for its foliage and creeping growth habit. It forms a carpet of pointed, powdery, blue foliage. These are held as upright clusters on stems that creep across the ground and shoot up new clusters. Small, cream-white flowers are borne above the foliage in summer. It typically grows to 25 cm tall and 60 cm wide but will colonise a larger area over time as the stems take root as they spread. Best performance with this plant is achieved when it is grown in full sun on a well-drained site. It will tolerate light frost only, and will survive extended dry periods. Senecio serpens is commonly maintained in a container, used in rock gardens, added to Mediterranean themed gardens, grown along the edge of a path where it can spill out or over, or used as a groundcover. A mass planting produces the best displays with this plant.