Plant Care Library

Other Names:  Frosty Echeveria, syn. E. pulvinata var. frigida

Description:

This attractive, shrubby variety features small rosettes of thick green leaves with silvery white hairs, that may spread several feet on rusty brown stems; arching spikes of yellow and orange flowers in late winter; ideal for containers or rock gardens

Ornamental Features

White Chenille Plant features unusual spikes of orange bell-shaped flowers with yellow tips rising above the foliage from late winter to early spring. Its attractive small succulent oval leaves remain green in color with hints of silver throughout the year. The coppery-bronze stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

White Chenille Plant is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

White Chenille Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

White Chenille Plant will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

White Chenille Plant is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.