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Growth Rate
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- Speed: Moderate grower.
- Mature Growth: Reaches 8-12 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, forming a neat, compact mound.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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No |
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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Yes |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Attracts: Birds may be attracted to the seed heads in late summer and fall.
- Wildlife Resistant: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid this plant due to its tough, wiry foliage.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Foliage Season: Evergreen in mild climates, semi-evergreen in colder regions.
- Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer (May to June).
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
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Ideal For
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- Rock gardens
- Borders and edging
- Xeriscaping
- Containers
- Mass plantings
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Leaf Description
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- Color: Silvery-blue, finely textured leaves.
- Form: Narrow, arching blades that form a dense, rounded mound of foliage.
- Winter Interest: The foliage retains its blue-gray color throughout winter, providing year-round interest.
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Flower Description
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- Color: Pale green to light tan flower spikes.
- Form: Fine-textured flower spikes rise above the foliage on slender stems, adding a soft contrast to the plant’s dense mound.
- Bloom Time: Late spring through early summer.
- Fragrance: Not fragrant.
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Planting Instructions
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- Planting Time: Best planted in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
- Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Can thrive in sandy or rocky soils. Tolerates poor soils as long as they drain well.
- Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery pot, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface.
- Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for airflow and mature spread.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Timing: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged foliage.
- Method: Cut back the foliage to about 2-3 inches above ground level to encourage fresh growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
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Water Needs
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- Watering Frequency: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, Lil' Chill is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.
- Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
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Light Needs
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Full sun for best foliage color and growth. It can tolerate light shade but may lose some of its vibrant blue color in low-light conditions. |
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Harvesting
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- Purpose of Harvesting: Usually harvested for seed collection or division.
- When to Harvest Seeds:
- Late summer to early fall, once the flower heads have turned dry and brown.
- Snip seed heads and dry indoors in a paper bag or mesh screen to collect mature seeds.
- Division:
- For propagation or rejuvenation, divide clumps every 2–3 years in spring or early fall.
- Gently lift and separate healthy sections of the root ball and replant immediately.
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Fertilizing
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- Fertilization Time: Typically does not require fertilizer, especially in average or poor soils. Over-fertilization can lead to weak, floppy growth.
- Fertilizer Type: If needed, use a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
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Additional Care Tips
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- Mulching: Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds, but keep the mulch away from the crown to prevent rot.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Lil' Chill is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in dry, well-drained soils, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally pest and disease-free, though overly wet conditions may lead to root rot. Ensure good drainage to prevent this issue.
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Pollination
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Wind-pollinated; flowers produce small seeds, which may attract birds in late summer. |
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Companion Plants
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- Lavender
- Sedum
- Coreopsis
- Echinacea (Coneflower)
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