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Category: Succulent |
Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
Origin: Mexico (North America) |
Evergreen: Yes |
Flower Color: Red & Yellow |
Bloomtime: Summer |
Synonyms: [E.secunda 'DS-2009', 'Imbricata' variegata, Hort] |
Height: <1 foot |
Width: Clumping |
Exposure: Sun or Shade |
Summer Dry: Yes |
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Echeveria x imbricata 'Compton Carousel' (Variegated Hens and Chicks) - This succulent forms attractive clumps under 6 inches tall of small tight rosettes 4 to 6 inches wide with short blue-gray leaves that have wide cream-colored margins with a hint of pink on older leaves and leaf margins, primarily in winter. We have yet to see this cultivar flower but plants that have lost their variegation (reversions) have nice orange and yellow flowers on a 1 foot tall inflorescence that rises vertically and then arches over gracefully. Plant in part sun to light shade or keep indoors in a brightly lighted location in well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally. We have had this plant outdoors for temperatures down to 32°F but have not fully tested its frost tolerance - based on its supposed parentage and origin it will be hardy to at least the lower 20s°F . This tight clustered plant produces offsets and in the right situation, it can form a good sized cluster and has performed well in containers both in part sun and in our greenhouse, where it really excels with rosette diameters to 8 inches. We first received this plant for trial in May 2010 from PlantHaven, a company that represents plant breeders and manages agreements and testing of new varieties worldwide. The plant, originally designated Echeveria secunda 'DS-2009', was discovered by David Sheppard, a bay area garden designer, in the garden of Lenore Dean in Sonoma California however it was questionable from the onset whether this plant could actually be a cultivar of Echeveria secunda and it differs from other form of Echeveria secunda, including the one we currently grow that is called 'Blue Mist' and note that some nurseries offer it as "Echeveria 'Imbricata' variegata", which not only is an illegitimate name, but is also confusing. Judging from plants we have that have reverted back to the non-variegated form and have flowered, this plant certainly looks to share a similar parentage to the original Echeveria x imbricata (AKA 'Imbricata'), which is thought to be a hybrid from the 1870s between Echeveria secunda (previously called E. glauca) and Echeveria gibbiflora 'Metalica'. While 'Compton Carousel' has distinctively thinner and more cupped leaves, the non-varietaged reversion, which we now call Echeveria x imbricata 'Gray Swirl' does have foliage and flower that that looks very similar to the older Echeveria x imbricata cultivar. 'Compton Carousel' has also been marketed under various other cultivar names including 'Lenore Dean' and 'Serenity' but continue to list it as 'Compton Carousel', as this was the name this plant was first sold under when it was released in Europe and at botanic garden sales here in the in the US. For more information on the Echeveria x imbricata cultivars see our listing for the original cultivar, which we are calling Echeveria x imbricata 'Jean-Baptiste'.
This information about Echeveria x imbricata 'Compton Carousel' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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