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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 |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Crassula ovata 'Gollum' (Gollum Jade) - A small shrubby succulent to 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide with interesting tubular leaves that have a reddish tint. As with Jade plant this cultivar has pinkish white star-like flowers, that often appear in late fall and early winter. 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 a similar cultivar to the earlier Jade cultivar 'Hobbit' that has leaves are curled back around while the cultivar 'Gollum' has leaves that are nearly tubular and appear to be tipped with a suction cup reminiscent of the J.R.R. Tolkein 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 become thick with age and develop interesting stem patterns. Great for container culture and Bonsai cultivation. Our plants from John Bleck who helped introduce this plant into cultivation in the US in the mid 1970's from his Abbey Gardens Nursery, having first received it from Brazilian plantsman Severino Rocha. The plants passed from John through the hands of noted plantsman Paul Hutchinson (of Tropical World Nursery) to end up at Grigsby Nursery where David Grigsby coined the ingeniously descriptive name 'Gollum'. In an article by Margrit Bischofberger of the The Crassulaceae Network titled Crassula ovata Tolkien Group" it is noted that Crassula ovata 'Gollum' first appeared in print in the 1981 Grigsby Nursery Wish Book. We also grow several other Crassula ovata cultivars, including 'Big Alice', 'Crosby's Dwarf', 'Hummel's Sunset' and 'Pink Beauty'.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Crassula ovata 'Gollum'.
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