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Calandrinia spp.
Overview
Calandrinia spp. is a genus of low-growing succulent herbs in the family Montiaceae, including both annuals and short-lived perennials, native chiefly to Australia and to the Americas, especially Chile. Plants form spreading rosettes or mats 2-12 in (5-30 cm) tall, with fleshy, often cylindrical or spoon-shaped leaves that store water against drought. From spring into summer they open cup-shaped flowers, usually bright magenta to pink but white in some species, each with five or more petals that open in sunshine and close in dull weather and by late day. The flowers are short-lived but produced in succession over several weeks, followed by capsules holding many tiny seeds. The genus grows in open, sunny sites on sandy, gravelly, or stony ground, including arid and semi-arid country, where it can flower briefly and heavily after rain. In cultivation it needs full sun, very sharp drainage, and dry conditions, rotting quickly in rich, moist, or shaded ground. The succulent foliage and vivid flowers suit rockeries, dry containers, and gravel gardens rather than mixed borders.
Native Range
Calandrinia spp. is native mainly to Australia and to the Americas, with a strong concentration of species in Chile and across arid and semi-arid Australia. The genus grows in open, sunny, sandy or stony ground, including deserts, grassland, and rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Used in rockeries, gravel gardens, dry sunny banks, and shallow containers, where the succulent foliage and bright flowers tolerate heat and drought. Annual species suit quick seasonal colour in arid-style plantings. Spaced 6-12 in (15-30 cm) apart in groups.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Across the genus, cup-shaped magenta to pink flowers open from spring into summer, the exact timing following rainfall in dry-country species. Each flower lasts a day or less, opening in sun and closing in dull weather, but many open in succession over several weeks. Capsules of tiny seeds follow.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
magenta to pink, sometimes whiteFoliage Description
green to grey-green, often red-tingedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun on very sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or stony soil, including poor and dry ground. Lean, dry conditions matter most, as plants rot quickly in rich, moist, or shaded sites. Water sparingly to establish, then rely on rainfall, as the succulent leaves carry the plants through dry spells. Annual species are raised from seed sown in place and often self-sow for following years. Perennial kinds can be divided or grown from cuttings of the fleshy stems. Feeding is unnecessary and encourages soft, rot-prone growth.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Remove spent flower stems to tidy plants and limit self-seeding where it is not wanted. Trim back leggy or frost-damaged succulent growth in spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons