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James Burghardt
Aizoaceae
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis
Ice Plant, Livingstone Daisy
Livingstone daisy is an easy-to-grow annual that becomes covered in neon-hued, daisy-like blooms all season long. It is native to South Africa and the genus is named in honor of plantsman Dr. Martin Heinrich Gustav Schwantes’s mother, Dorothea. Also called ice plant, this mat-forming beauty is a true rock garden plant adapted to sunny, open, rocky ares with sharply drained soil. It thrives were summers are not too hot or humid.
The flat, fleshy, succulent, spatula-shaped leaves of ice plant are held alternately on branching stems and are covered with shiny, white dots. A profusion of single, daisy-like flowers cover the plant while the sun shines. They close at night or in cloudy weather. The blooms are brilliantly hued in shades of red, pink, orange and yellow. Some have lighter contrasting bands at the petal bases. The center of the flowers is yellow and attract bees and other insect pollinators. The fruits are brown capsule that splits open to release the seeds inside.
Ice plant grows best in areas where days are warm and dry and nights cool but above freezing. Grow it as a spring annual in cooler climates and a fall or winter annual in zones with mild winters. This rock lover requires very well-drained soil, with low to moderate fertility. Moist ground or over-watering can quickly kill plants. Full sun is required for best blooming. Sow the seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost date and transplant when soil is warm and danger of frost has passed. Deadheading old flowers will encourage more blooms. Livingstone daisy is a great choice for rock gardens, beds, boarders and containers.
9 - 1
A2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Annual
Full Sun
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
10"-18" / 25.4cm - 45.7cm
Spring, Indeterminate
South Africa
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Salt
Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Spreading
Spring, Fall, Winter
Showy
White, Yellow, Red, Purple, Orange, Pink, Hot Pink, Fuchsia, Peach
Bicolor, Multi-Color
Brown
Light Green
Yes
No
Single
Medium
Glossy
Alpine, Bedding Plant, Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Butterflies
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