Umbilicus oppositifolius

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Synonyms

Cotyledon oppositifolia
Chiastophyllum oppositifolium
Cotyledon simplicifolia
Chiastophyllum simplicifolium
Chiastophyllum simplicifolia

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A prostrate evergreen perennial to 20cm, with large, fleshy, ovate leaves and branched, arching racemes of small, bright yellow flowers on brownish stems

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
A genus of over ninety species of rosette-forming, flowering succulents found in southern and western Europe, with dark green, fleshy leaves which have a dimple in the centre and scalloping around the edges. Greenish-pink, tubular flowers appear in clusters on upright red stems in the spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or use side shoots for softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Ground cover
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to damage by slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free