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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink & White |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Synonyms: [Crassula argentea, C.portulacea] |
| Height: 1-3 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Crassula ovata 'Hobbit' (Hobbit Jade) - A small shrubby succulent to 2 to 3 feet tall with interesting succulent green leaves that are curled back to nearly rounded, often with reddish margins. As with Jade plant this cultivar has pinkish white star-like flowers. Plant in full sun to bright shade in a well-drained soil. Cold hardy to 20-25° F and useful as an outdoor ornamental in USDA Zones 9-10 and a great house plant or winter protected specimen potted plant elsewhere. This is an earlier Jade cultivar than the similar Crassula ovata 'Gollum' which we continue to grow. These two cultivars are often confused in literature and by nurseries. The cultivar 'Gollum' has leaves that are nearly tubular and appear to be tipped with a suction cup, reminiscent of the J.R.R. Tolkien character by the same name. Both 'Gollum' and 'Hobbit', which are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Tolkien Group", are interesting plants with trunks that becomes thick with age and develop interesting stem patterns, making them great specimens for container culture and Bonsai cultivation. Our stock plant came from John Bleck who introduced both of the "Tolkien Group" cultivars into cultivation in the US in the mid 1970's from his Abbey Gardens Nursery, having received his original plant of Hobbit from Helen Smith, a succulent grower in Ramona, CA. In an article by Margrit Bischofberger of the The Crassulaceae Network titled titled Crassula ovata Tolkien Group" it is noted that Crassula ovata 'Hobbit' was first listed in the 1979 Abbey Garden Nursery catalog as Crassula portulacea 'Hobit' [sic].
This information about Crassula ovata 'Hobbit' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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