“Ice plants” refer to several types of plants, usually having fleshy thick leaves. However, after an introduction to Delosperma, you’ll know it as the real-deal. As a group of tough groundcovers, they flourish in full sun in well draining soils with little water, after becoming established. Plus, they’re colorful!
All it asks, er, demands, is good drainage. That’s all.
What else is exciting about these plants? A lot, that’s what!
Native to Africa, with fleshy green leaves, Delosperma species and varieties solve many common groundcover, erosion, and container needs. From only ½” tall and a few inches wide to 4″ tall and spreading to 2′, Delospermas begin blooming with daisy-like flowers in early spring and often continue blooming through the summer punching the garden with bright fuchsia, red, bronze, yellow, white or orange flowers.
By the way, birds, bees and butterflies love ’em! Deer don’t.
However, let’s turn up the heat with Delosperma ‘Fire Spinner.’ It quickly grows to an attractive weed-thwarting 2″ high and 15″ wide mat in two seasons. The variety name perfectly describes the flowers. It’s a kaleidoscope of hot colors on unbelievable 1½” wide fiery flowers. Radiating from a clear white center, petals with deep magenta color in the middle transition to hot orange, finishing with bronze on the outer tips. These arresting flowers sit atop shiny, apple green needle-like succulent leaves making an astonishing garden statement from late spring through fall. Now that’s what we call a hot groundcover!
