Scientific Name
Echeveria 'Imbricata'
Common Name(s)
Blue Rose, Blue Rose Echeveria, Hens and Chicks
Synonym(s)
Echeveria × imbricata, Echeveria imbricata
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Origin
This succulent is a hybrid resulting from the cross between Echeveria glauca (now considered a synonym of Echeveria secunda) and Echeveria gibbiflora 'Metallica'. It was created by Jean-Baptiste A. Deleuil in Marseille in 1874. There is no doubt that this hybrid has been made not only by Deleuil but also by several other breeders in Europe, America, and elsewhere. Parental clones, of course, were not the same, which explains why E. 'Imbricata' is a somewhat variable plant.
Description
Echeveria' Imbricata' is a popular succulent that forms tight rosettes of grey-green to blue-green, spoon-shaped leaves with a powdery wax coating. The rosettes grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter, freely producing offsets to form large compact clumps. Leaves flush pink around the edges when grown in bright sunlight. Flowers are bell-shaped, red with yellow tips, and appear in clusters on arching branched inflorescences in late spring and early summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Most common Echeveria species are not complicated succulents to grow, provided you follow a few basic rules. First, be careful never to let water sit in the rosette as it can cause rot or fungal diseases that will kill the plant. Additionally, remove dead leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows. These dead leaves provide a haven for pests, and Echeverias are susceptible to mealy bugs. As with all succulents, careful watering habits and plenty of light will help ensure success.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide.
Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in potting soil for succulents and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Echeveria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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