Dwarf Blue Chalksticks

1 Gallon

$19.00

Dwarf Blue Chalksticks

Senecio serpens

Compact Icy Blue Foliage • Low-Water Groundcover • Architectural Texture & Form

$19.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Dwarf Blue Chalksticks is a sculptural groundcover that paints the garden in cool, serene tones. Its dense clusters of short, finger-like leaves are covered in a thick, powdery blue-white farina, creating a striking frosted appearance that is punctuated by delicate pink tips. This compact, spreading succulent forms a captivating mat of icy blue foliage, offering exceptional texture and color contrast in rockeries or containers. While it produces modest white daisy flowers in summer, its true glory lies in its year-round, drought-resilient foliage that effortlessly suppresses weeds and brings a modern, architectural feel to any sunny spot.

Forms a dense, low mat of distinctive upright, blue-green leaves coated in a white, waxy powder (farina) with charming pink tips.
Provides exceptional, year-round ornamental interest with its unique color and texture, perfect for creating contrast.
An excellent, low-maintenance groundcover that naturally suppresses weeds once established.
Produces small, white daisy-like flowers in mid-summer to early fall, adding seasonal interest.
Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for rock gardens, succulent beds, and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
Evergreen in mild climates, with a compact, spreading habit perfect for borders and container gardens.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Small, fleshy, finger-like, cylindrical leaves that are a powdery blue-green color with a distinctive waxy coating (farina). The leaf tips often blush to a lovely lavender-pink, especially in cooler, sunnier conditions. The foliage is densely packed along the stems.Flowers: Small, white, tufted, daisy-like flowers appear on short stalks above the foliage in summer.Habit: A low-growing, spreading, evergreen succulent that forms a dense, mat-like groundcover.
Mature Height: 6-12 in.
Mature Width: 2-3 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Exceptional, drought-tolerant groundcover.Unique blue foliage color provides year-round interest.Very low maintenance.Deer and rabbit resistant.Excellent for erosion control on slopes
Landscape Uses:Groundcover for sunny, dry areas.Rock gardens and succulent beds.Container planting and spiller in mixed pots.Mediterranean and xeriscape gardens

Q: How do I protect the white powder (farina) on the leaves?
A: The farina is fragile and cannot be regenerated if rubbed off. Water at the soil level to avoid splashing, handle the plant minimally, and position it where rain/irrigation won’t directly hit the foliage to preserve its best appearance.

Q: Is it frost tolerant?
A: It is tender to frost. It is best suited for USDA zones 9b-11. In cooler climates, it should be grown in containers that can be moved indoors or to a protected area during freezing weather.

Q: How fast does it spread as a groundcover?
A: It has a moderate spread rate, typically reaching 2-3 feet wide. Its low, dense growth habit allows it to fill in spaces effectively without being aggressively invasive.

Q: What’s the main difference between this and the regular ‘Blue Chalk Sticks’?
A: The ‘Dwarf’ variety (‘Senecio serpens’) is much more compact (6-12 inches tall), with shorter, stouter, and more upright leaves. The regular ‘Blue Chalk Sticks’ (often Senecio mandraliscae) is larger (1-2 ft tall) with longer, more curved, finger-like leaves and a more vigorous spreading habit.