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Conservatory GreenhouseCactus Succulent

Echeveria × bombycina

silky echeveria

An evergreen succulent with 10cm rosettes of thick, pale green, spoon-shaped leaves densely covered in white hairs. The 10cm flower stems produce red and yellow, urn-shaped flowers in late summer and early autumn

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer Red Yellow Grey Silver Green
Autumn Red Yellow Grey Silver Green
Winter Grey Silver Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Echeveria can be evergreen succulent perennials or subshrubs with rosettes of colourful, fleshy leaves and racemes or panicles of urn-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Provide low humidity. Water freely when in growth and keep just moist at other times. Apply a dilute low nitrogen fertilizer fortnightly during late spring and summer. Keep almost dry in the winter. Stand plants outside during the summer months. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by stem or leaf cuttings in spring or early summer. Separate offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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