Crassula Ovata 'Blue Bird'

Bluebird / Blue Jade / Blue Jade Tree

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata ‘Blue Bird’
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Southern Africa (South Africa)
Plant Type: Evergreen succulent shrub

Overview

‘Blue Bird’ is a compact, water-wise jade plant for South Australian gardens. It forms tidy mounds of powdery blue-green, variegated foliage with pink edges in sun/cool weather and produces starry white to pale-pink flowers in winter that support pollinators. Ideal for low-maintenance borders, rock and gravel gardens, and bold containers.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–1.0 m W
• Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Thick, rounded blue-green leaves with a silvery bloom; cream variegation and pink/red margins in strong light; neat, branching habit
• Flowers: Winter clusters of small, star-shaped blooms; nectar-rich for insects
  
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure with peak winter flowering and year-round colour
• Wildlife Value: Winter nectar source for bees and beneficial insects
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant
  coastal-tolerant (2nd line, sheltered from heavy salt); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: Borders/rock gardens 0.6–1.0 m centres for a cohesive, low-maintenance effect
• Pet Friendly: No — toxic to pets (jade plants can cause vomiting/depression if chewed)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to bright part shade (strongest colour/compact habit with good light; some afternoon shade inland)
• Soil: Very well-drained sandy or loamy soils; use raised beds/mounds in heavier clay; avoid waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 14–21 days in summer; sparingly in winter (let soil dry between waterings)
• Maintenance: Mulch with gravel; remove spent flower stems; tip-prune after flowering to shape; fertilise lightly in early spring
• Lifespan: 20-40+ years in free-draining sites
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Adaptable — Acid, Neutral, Alkaline (best slightly acidic–neutral, ~6.0–7.0, with sharp drainage)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Feature in large pots near entries and outdoor living spaces
• Mass in gravel/rock gardens for sculptural, low-water structure
• Pair with aloes, agaves and ornamental grasses for modern contrast

Why You Will Love It

A true set-and-forget succulent: sculptural blue-green foliage with pink highlights, cheerful winter flowers for pollinators, and excellent drought and heat tolerance — perfect for stylish, low-maintenance SA gardens.