Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
Kaleidoscope ™ ' Razzle Dazzle ' ice industrial plant . exposure by : Proven succeeder
Delospermais a earth cover succulent with fleshy foliage and colourful daisy - like blooms . Plants have a dense mat - forming habit , providing an evergreen rug year - round in warmer clime . Native to eastern and southerly Africa , Delospermathrives in heat , is drought broad and well-nigh upkeep gratuitous when given the right growing condition .
Also know as ice plant , this dauntless perennial is named for the shimmering quality of the flower and foliage that resemble ice crystal . Delospermais a fast grower that opt skimpy , well - drained territory . These succulent plants are utilitarian inrock gardens , perennial borders , curbside landing strip , containers , andwaterwise garden . Here ’s how to grow water ice plant and use it in your landscape .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Pictures|FAQ’s|Design approximation
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Delospermaspp .
Plant type:
Evergreen or semi - evergreen perennial
Zones:
Most are hardy in Zones 5 - 9
Exposure:
Full sunlight
Habit:
Dense flatness - forming use
Height/spread:
3 to 6 inch marvellous , 12 to 30 inch wide
Foliage:
Evergreen or semi - evergreen succulent leaves are short and manoeuvre , occurring along the stems . Foliage comes in shadiness of commons .
Flowers:
Small daisy - like flowers 3/4 to 2 inches wide fall out in brilliant chromaticity of pink , violent , orange , purple , lavender , xanthous , or bloodless . Some are bicolored or multi - colored . Ice plant flush will close up at night , in shade , or on turbid day .
IsDelospermapoisonous?
Ice plant is non - toxic and is safe for children and deary . Mild digestive disorder may come about if plants are ingested .
PLANTING ICE PLANT
Hardy icteric ice plant ( D. nubigenum ) . Photo by : M. Schuppich / Shutterstock
When to plant:
works ice works during milder conditions to annul transplant shock from extreme temperature . In colder mood , plant in mid to belated spring after the soil has warm up . Delospermacan be planted in either spring or shine in affectionate climates .
Where to plant:
meth plants grow well on a internet site that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun with well - drain grunge . unspoiled drain is all-important .
How to plant:
Loosen soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other organic subject . Add lava rock , perlite , or vermiculite for more aeration . Dig a hole slightly wider and slenderly shallower than the root ball . Remove the plant from its nursery container and gently tease out roots if potbound . spot in the cakehole so the top of the base lump is level with the surrounding soil . take in the fix with grunge , tamp down mildly to remove zephyr pocket , and water plants exhaustively . Water regularly until plant life are established . Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart , depending on the variety .
Pro Tip
" TheKaleidoscope ™ seriesof Delosperma are true heat seekers — cascade over retaining walls and sidewalk , or trailing up to two feet in a season from hang basket . ' Razzle Dazzle ' is a top pick for vibrant gloss and vigorous increment . " — Andrew , Proven Winners Perennials
ICE PLANT CARE
Soil:
Plants perform best in flaxen soil and can put up rocky or skimpy soil , but will go wrong to prosper in poorly drain ground . supply well - drain land with a inert pH.
For containers , habituate an all - aim potting mix particularly formulated for cactus and succulents , or add perlite to the potting mix for extra drainage .
Amendments and fertilizer:
Ice plant needs piffling or no supplemental fertiliser . If want , apply a thin layer of compost or all - role time - release fertilizer in spring .
Watering:
Delospermaprefers dry conditions and will develop root bunkum if overwatered . weewee new plants regularly until plant and cater supplemental body of water during prolong heat and ironic spell . Plants in containers dry out out more chop-chop , so will need more frequent watering .
Pruning:
Delospermamay experience wintertime dieback , particularly in colder climates . Remove dead or damaged foliage and spent blossom in spring to tidy up flora . Plants can be gently sheared back in former summer or other drop when finished flower to remove seed heads and promote a full development use . Avoid cut too of late in the growing season to allow plants to harden off for winter .
Pests and diseases:
When farm in the right condition , ice-skating rink plant is free of most pests and disease . Pests includeaphids , mealy bug , and vine weevil . Diseases includepowdery mildewand root rot .
DELOSPERMA VARIETIES
photograph by : Proven winner
Kaleidoscope ™ ' Razzle Dazzle'—Buy now from Proven WinnersDelospermahybrid
Zones:5 - 10Habit : crushed spread habitSize:2 to 4 inches tall , 20 to 24 inch wideBloom time : Late spring to early summertime
Bi - color blossom transition from raspberry reddish tips to fuchsia purple eyes around pick centers .
Fire Spinner ® —Check availability from Proven WinnersDelospermahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Habit : scummy spreading habitSize:1 to 3 inches grandiloquent , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom fourth dimension : Late leap to former summertime
Vigorous plants produce a profusion of flowers with apricot flower petal with a magenta inner band , ashen shopping mall , and yellow stamen for dramatic heart - bolt down demarcation . The shiny Malus pumila - dark-green foliage remains evergreen in warmer climates .
Granita ® Raspberry ® —Check availability from Proven WinnersDelosperma floribundum
Zones:6 - 10Habit : Low spreading habitSize:4 inches grandiloquent , 30 inches wideBloom meter : Late spring to other summertime
This vigorous grower is especially prolific , with flowers covering the entire works in previous spring and summertime . enceinte flowers 1 - 1/2 - in wide are intensely color , occurring in shade of redness . New flowers are vivacious rosaceous , suppurate to fuchsia with roseate crown .
exposure by : Stefan_Sutka / Shutterstock
Cooper ’s Ice PlantDelosperma cooperi
Zones:6 - 10Habit : Low spreading habitSize:3 to 6 inches tall , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom clock time : Early summertime to fall
Dense matting - forming plants bring about vibrant magenta - pink flowers up to 2 column inch across . D. cooperiis exceptionally long blooming , from former summer to fall . The bright green foliage rest evergreen plant for year - round of golf colour in the landscape .
Photo by : Nick Pecker / Shutterstock
' Starburst’Delosperma floribundum
Zones:6 - 8Habit : Low clip-clop habitSize:4 inch tall , 10 to 12 inches wideBloom time : Early to late summer
‘ Starburst ’ has a more clopping wont than other varieties and is wrap up with blooms from former spring through summertime . flower 2 inches wide are bright lilac purpleness with white centers and yellow stamens for centre - catching contrast .
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
' Jewel of the Desert Grenade’Delosperma cooperi
Zones:5 - 10Habit : Low clumping habitSize:4 to 6 inches tall , 9 to 12 inch wideBloom time : Late bound to come down
This lump - forming variety blooms continuously over an exceptionally farseeing fourth dimension , from previous saltation until icing . Flowers 2 inches across have fervent orange - red petals with a ring of magenta , white centers and yellow stamens for arresting contrast .
Photo by : Kathy D. Reasor / Shutterstock
Wheels of Wonder ™ Violet WonderDelosperma cooperi
Zones:5 - 10Habit : Low spreading habitSize:3 to 6 column inch marvellous , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom time : Early summertime to fall
The Wheels of Wonder ™ serial has a more vertical increase habit and larger flowers than other cultivars ofDelosperma . plant form a thick mat of evergreen plant foliage , flower prolifically over a long time period from early summer to light . Large flush have bright violet flower petal with a white centerfield and jaundiced stamens .
picture by : Galumphing Galah / Shutterstock
Hardy Yellow Ice PlantDelosperma nubigenum
Zones:6 - 9Habit : modest spreading habitSize:2 to 3 column inch tall , 9 to 24 column inch wideBloom time : Late spring to precipitate
Sunny , 3/4 - in chicken flowers flower continuously from later spring to fall . Spreading matting - forming industrial plant produce evergreen foliage that produce hint of burgundy in declination and winter .
Photo by : Todd Boland / Shutterstock
' Lavender Ice’Delospermahybrid
Zones:4 - 9Habit : Low distribute habitSize:2 to 4 inch grandiloquent , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom time : former spring to fall down
One of the hardiest varieties ofDelosperma , ‘ Lavender Ice ’ produces bloom 2 column inch all-embracing with pastel lavender petals , a pink annulus and pale yellow heart for cooling contrast . Mat - form plant produce a profusion of blooms from recent spring until the first frost .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will ice plant come back every year?
Ice flora is a hardy perennial in most raise zones , come back from year to year .
How invasive is ice plant?
Delospermais not considered invasive , thoughCarprobrotus , which is a dissimilar genus of frappe plant , can be invasive in parts of California , especially along the slide .
Can ice plant be a houseplant?
Ice plant is sometimes grown as a houseplant . Provide a spot indoors that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight or employ artificial grow lights . H2O sparingly , particularly during winter months .
Can ice plant stay outside in winter?
Ice plant life is a stout perennial in most regions and can winter outdoors . Protect containerized plants from prolonged gruelling freezes .
How fast do ice plants grow?
Ice flora farm quickly , doubling in size of it the first year , score it a good selection as a land cover to aid staunch corroding .
Do ice plants need deadheading?
Ice plants can produce C of flowers during the originate season . Deadheading is not necessary . expend flowers from the previous growing season can be removed as need in spring to tidy up up plant .
LANDSCAPE IDEAS
picture by : Darrel Guilbeau / Shutterstock
There are many way to use ice industrial plant in your landscape painting . Here ’s how :
For borders and landscapes:
Grow hardy ice plant in rock’n’roll gardens , beds , curbside strips or waterwise landscape .
For slopes and hillsides:
Mass ice plant as a earth screening along a side to help stem surface wearing away .
For containers:
Ice plant can be grown in containers by themselves or alongside other plant with like uprise motive .
Companion industrial plant : Delospermapairs well with other drouth - tolerant perennial and succulents such ascreeping thyme , genus Dianthus , lavender , lewisia , ornamental pasture , portulaca , saxifrage , sedum , sempervivum , andyucca .
