By Sue Jackson, Member of the Native Garden Committee
Plants from the genus Dudleya are unlike many garden succulents in that they insist on a dormant period. The plant can be a show stopper during the cooler months, but when the heat comes, they are ready for a rest. Overwatering and trying to force them to stay vibrant invites root rot. These photos (above & below above) show the same plant growing robustly and in dormancy. The natural way the plant survives the dry heat of summer is to hunker down and allow the outer leaves to dry in order to preserve the plant center. The plant will be ready to grow again in the fall/winter. During the summer, this plant has been kept mostly in the shade, given just an occasional dribble of water around the rim of the pot— never watering directly on the plant. The dried leaves can be trimmed off or appreciated for their sculptural quality and rich brown color. Here we have a perfect example of climate adaptation. Let sleeping Dudleyas lie; If not, they will surely die.