James H. Schutte
Family
Aizoaceae
Botanical Name
Delosperma
Plant Common Name
Delosperma
General Description
This genus comprises 160 species of evergreen, succulent perennials with showy flowers. Ice plants may be woody or herbaceous and most are native to South Africa and its offshore islands. They are found in widely varying habitats from seashore environs to forests and mountainsides.
The plants are mostly mat-forming, though a few are upright. They are succulent and evergreen. Their thick fleshy leaves may be rounded, flattened, or angled. They are opposite, attached directly to the stems and are often covered with hairs or scales. Their colorful daisy-like flowers have thin linear petals and are borne singly or in clusters. The blooms are very bright and come in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, purple or white. They open around midday and close in the evening and only last one day. Most ice plants are summer blooming but may flower all year around if growing conditions are favorable. The flowers and followed by simple capsule fruits filled with many pale brown, rounded seeds.
A few species are popular garden plants, particularly for rock gardens and groundcover. Cooper's ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is one of the most commonly grown. It bears loads of hot pink flowers on thick evergreen mats of foliage and is found at high altitudes in Africa and is well-adapted to hot sunny locations. The hardy yellow ice plant (Delosperma congestum) is native to the higher altitudes of South Africa and bears starry aster-like blooms for months. The starburst ice plant (Delosperma floribundum) is from the hotter, drier zones of South Africa and offers small purple-pink blooms on tidy mounds of dark green foliage.
Hardiness and culture are species dependent. Some are frost sensitive, while others are very cold hardy. Most prefer sunny locations and soil with excellent drainage. When actively growing in the summer, they need occasional applications of water. Cold wet winter conditions will cause the plants to rot. These succulents grow best where there is plenty of air movement. Divide them if they become too crowded and propagate by seed or cuttings. Use Delosperma in rock gardens, containers and in beds.
Some Delosperma are considered invasive.
Growing Conditions
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Evergreen
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
