|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Coral |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 1 foot |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
|
|
|
|
Echeveria subrigida 'Fire and Ice' - This is a named selection of the very attractive large rosette-forming Echeveria subrigida. The difference between the selection 'Fire and Ice' is not readily apparent and our description here is for the species which is one of the largest of the Echeveria. It forms 9 inch tall by 18 inch wide rosettes of wide spade-shape blue-green leaves that are deeply channeled and have smooth margins that often are highlighted with pink or rose tones. In late spring into mid-summer appear the heavy upright stalks bearing coral-pink flowers that are orange inside with red nectaries. Plant in a very well-drained soil in full coastal sun to light shade - requires shade inland but make sure it is a bright location to maintain best color and discourage the stem for stretching out. Give occasional to infrequent irrigation spring through fall and try to keep on the dry side in winter – great under a eave. Cold hardy to about 20° F. This plant has proven a bit difficult to maintain. It has been suggested that planting at a slight angle to promote water running away from the center of the rosette in a very well drained soil, avoiding winter water, acidifying of strongly alkaline water and the use of a fertilizer for acid loving plants, can help maintain a nice looking plant. Echeveria subrigida comes from San Luis Potosi, & Tultenango Canyon, Mexico though for many years the plant now known as Echeveria cante, from the mountains of Zacatecas, was marketed under this name. E. cante is slightly smaller and has leaves with a thick powdery whitish lavender coating and yellow orange flowers lacking the red nectaries. The genus Echeveria was named to honor Mexican botanical artist Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy in 1828 by the French botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (DeCandolle) who was very impressed with Echeverría's drawings. Echeverría had accompanied the the Sessé and Mociño expedition (led by Martin de Sessé y Lacasta and Mariano Mociño Suárez de Figueroa) while exploring Mexico and northern Central America and had produced thousands of botanical illustrations. The genus Echeveria is a member of the large Crassula family (Crassulaceae), which has about 1,400 species in 33 genera with worldwide distribution. Echeveria, with approximately 180 species, are native to mid to higher elevations in the Americas with the main distribution in Mexico and central America but with one species found from as far north as southern Texas and several species occurring as far south as Bolivia, Peru and possibly Argentina. The book "The genus Echeveria" by John Pilbeam (published by the British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2008) is an excellent source of information on the species and "Echeveria Cultivars" by Lorraine Schulz and Attila Kapitany (Schulz Publishing, 2005) has beautiful photos and great information on the cultivars and hybrids. It has been argued by some that the correct pronunciation for the genus is ek-e-ve'-ri-a, though ech-e-ver'-i-a seems in more prevalent use in the US.
The information about Echeveria subrigida 'Fire and Ice' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include 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 we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
| |
|
|
|
