- Author: Cindy Yee
Whenever we visit the coast, I admire the various succulents flourishing in front yards of homes, businesses downtown, the Mendocino Botanical Garden, and at the nurseries.
Even though Fort Bragg and Mendocino are the same USDA planting zone 9b as inland Solano, their coastal weather seems especially conducive for succulent success. Their flower colors are brighter, leaves have more pronounced markings, and plants generally look very healthy.
This beauty, Kalanchoe manginii aka beach bells, was hanging on a pergola at Hare Creek Nursery in Fort Bragg. In the Crassulaceae species, Kalanchoe manginii is native to Madagascar. Its long arching branches had glossy fleshy leaves and brilliant salmon colored flower bells. I had to bring it home. The plant made the 3.5 hour car trip on my lap. It wasn't a particularly comfortable trip for me, my family was quite amused, but not even one branch broke.
However, in the days following our return, the bells changed several shades to a very light coral. I had no idea why. Was it the shock of the journey, all the jostling, the hot weather, or both? In the first pic, you can see out the atrium window of our Airbnb, the garden was foggy in the low 60's vs. 80F at home.
Concerned as to the cause, I moved the plant from bright indirect sun indoors, to all day shade outdoors. There was no change in flower color. It wasn't until we experienced a cold spell in the 60's (daytime), that the colors came halfway back. At least, thats how it appeared to me.
The kalanchoe is still outside in the shade, and its still orange, even though this week has been quite warm. I am happy its alive. Cheers!