Chalk Lettuce

Dudleya pulverulenta is a dramatic and ethereal succulent native to California but grown by UK enthusiasts for its stunning silvery-white appearance. It forms a large, solitary rosette of broad, pointed leaves that are covered in a thick, waxy white powder (epicuticular wax) which protects it from the sun and gives it a ghostly glow. In the UK, it is best treated as a specialist glasshouse or conservatory plant (hardiness H2) as it is very sensitive to winter wet and frost. It produces tall, arching flower spikes in early summer with reddish, bell-shaped flowers. A key quirk of this species is its summer dormancy; in its natural habitat, it survives dry summers by shutting down, so UK growers must be careful not to overwater during the warm months. It requires a very gritty, mineral-rich soil and a position with maximum light. It is a true collector's plant that rewards the patient gardener with its unique, sculptural beauty.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Very gritty, mineral-rich compost.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.