Kalanchoe pumila

Kalanchoe pumila Quicksilver

A member of the Crassulaceae family and hailing from Madagascar, Kalanchoe pumila 'Quicksilver' (ht 10-20 cm) is a trailing plant with stunning silver leaves and pretty mauve-pink flowers in late winter and spring. It can be grown beneath spring-flowering shrubs or amongst early bulbs.

Kalanchoe pumila Quicksilver in the Sydney garden of Alida Gray

Kalanchoe pumila Quicksilver in the Sydney garden of Alida Gray

It prefers a well-drained soil in a partly shaded position (although it does seem to cope with full sun). Trim back after flowering, and renew from a cutting every few years. It is frost tender. It forms a pretty groundcover with Tradescantia zebrina, as illustrated at left.

Kalanchoe pumila Quicksilver in the garden of Lyn Cox in Sydney

Kalanchoe pumila Quicksilver in the garden of Lyn Cox in Sydney

This easy-to-grow and undemanding succulent grows very well in a pot, and will cascade over the sides to a considerable length, as show in the stylish container illustrated in the photo below left! It could also be used to spill over retaining walls or cascade from rockeries.