Photo of the Day: shoutout to the humble jade plant
Photo of the Day for Friday, February 1, 2019:
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is so common here that it gets very little respect. It's even worse in the Bay Area where it grows so effortlessly that some consider it a weed.
I must admit that I'm not always good to our jade plant either. It's not an automatic drip, so in the summer it gets water whenever I think of it—which maybe as infrequently as once every six weeks.
And yet, it takes no offense and it holds no grudges. Instead, it flowers for weeks on end, bringing a smile to my face whenever I walk by.
Humble jade plant, I see you, and I will be more kind to you.
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| Jade plant (Crassula ovata) |
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is so common here that it gets very little respect. It's even worse in the Bay Area where it grows so effortlessly that some consider it a weed.
I must admit that I'm not always good to our jade plant either. It's not an automatic drip, so in the summer it gets water whenever I think of it—which maybe as infrequently as once every six weeks.
And yet, it takes no offense and it holds no grudges. Instead, it flowers for weeks on end, bringing a smile to my face whenever I walk by.
Humble jade plant, I see you, and I will be more kind to you.
Yes, I agree, we don't value them as much as we should. Here they can grow up to six feet tall and six feet wide without water. In summer, they don't so good, but now, in winter with a little rain, they are radiant and covered with little star-shaped pink blossoms. A wonderful sight, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea jade plants would flower!
ReplyDeleteMine is Flowering nowš¤
DeleteThere are several of these growing in the community bed at the entrance to our neighborhood and I find I don't even notice them until they bloom but they've thrived there with virtually no attention so they get kudos for that. However, I've planted a flashier version of the species in my own garden - the foliage of Crassula ovata 'Hummel's Sunset' is attractive without flowers and in fact I like it better that way.
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget seeing one in the ground in New Orleans; it was enormous.
ReplyDeleteI'll notice everyone's outdoor Jade plants for them - here they shrivel up to nothing in the summer, and then die in the winter. I keep mine in a pot, and keep wishing it would bloom!
ReplyDeleteI just pulled a Crassula 'Bluebird' out of the ground because it was slouching on a whale's tongue agave, trimmed it back a bit and will grow it in a pot. Wonderfully wavy, blue, pink-rimmed leaves. Crassula 'Jitters' is incredible in a pot, lots of textural energy with minimal care. Yes, props to the jade clan!
ReplyDeleteWhen we moved in there was a C. ovata six-by-six footer on the property and I trashed it without regret. Just cannot summon any affection for them whatsoever, though as Kris wrote 'Hummel's Sunset' might be an exception.
ReplyDeleteHere in Phoenix all Crassulas (including Jade plants) hate the summer night heat and often die outside. To us, they are a miracle and not humble at all.
ReplyDelete43 years ago when I moved to Phoenix from Rhode Island I had a beautiful big jade tree that I had grown from a small cutting and brought with me. Over about 2 months it slowly lost branches and then died. I love jade plants but they do not like the heat especially at night in summer here. I am SO jealous of people in California who can grow them and they flower and thrive. My advice is to love your jade plants! You are lucky!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you lost your jade plant back then. You're right, here they almost grow like weeds and people tend to disrespect them. I will try to do better
ReplyDelete