Chiastophyllum oppositifolium

syn. C. simplicifolium, Cotyledon simplicifolia
Family: Crassulaceae
Pronounced: ky-AS-to-fy-lum op-po-sit-ee-FOH-lee-um

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Origin:
Caucasus.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: Not listed. 
USDA zones: 6-9. 
Heat zone 9-6.
Mature size:
Height: 6-8 inches (flower height) (15-20 cm). 
Width: 6 inches (15 cm).
Flowering period:
Late spring to early summer.
Flowering attributes:
Pea-like, yellow flowers on racemes looking like dangling chains of tiny flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Succulent, evergreen leaves with scalloped edges.
Growth habit:
Rhizomatous, spreading (but polite about it).
Light:
Partial shade.
Soil:
Moist, neutral ph, well-drained soil.
Propagation Methods:
Sow seed in late winter indoors; outdoors in pots in autumn placed in cold frame. 64-71ºF (18-22ºC). Do not cover seed. | Divide side shoots in early summer.
Pests and Diseases:
One of my resources say these plants can be damaged by slugs and snails. In the many years I've grown them (since 1996) I've not seen any evidence of damage in my slug infested garden.

 

Rainy Side Notes

Chiastophyllum, a six-inch high perennial with evergreen, succulent leaves, makes an excellent evergreen ground cover all year long. A charming little rock garden plant for a shady nook in the garden, mine are tucked into a rock wall or growing in regular garden soil.

I planted seed in 1996 and transferred plants to my present garden. The seed house I bought them from had little cultural advice about them, and I could not locate any information on how to grow them. This perennial is easy to propagate; however, seeds are like dust and difficult to handle. I divide the plants successfully throughout the growing season, although the advice is to do this during the early part of summer.

Promoted as a partial shade plant; yet here in the Pacific Northwest we can grow them in full sun. However, I appreciate them most in the shade garden. I love the dance of racemes filled with tiny, lemon yellow flowers lighting up the dark rock walls.

More Chiastophyllums.

Photographed in author's garden.