Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant

Groundcovers don't just have to be green foliage. Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant is a dependable groundcover that boasts evergreen succulent foliage with amazingly showy pinkish-purple flowers that continue to bloom from late summer to the first frost. Many plants in the Aizoaceae family are commonly called Ice Plant, although Delosperma cooperi is the dwarf variety from which the Jewel of the Desert series has been bred. Jewel of the Desert® is perfect for including in rock gardens, mixed container plantings, and as ground cover in hot, dry spots where little else will grow. Along with New Zealand flax, lambs ear, and blue fescue, Delosperma should be included in a fire-resistant landscape plan. The plants are succulent and extremely drought resistant, perfect for planting in a buffer zone around houses or other structures. Heavy foot traffic is also not a problem for Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant. This tough-wearing groundcover is perfect next to a driveway, sidewalk, or even between stepping stones in dry, sunny spots. Jewel of the Desert® Amethyst Ice Plant Care Ice plants prefer free-draining soil with little nutrients. Place the plants in full sun and water deeply but infrequently to promote a deeper root system. One inch of water once a week in the first year gets these plants off to a good start. Delosperma cooperi is native to South Africa and thrives in hot, dry climates such as the Mediterranean, where all of the year's rainfall occurs during the cooler winter months, while the summer sees little in the way of natural rainfall. There is almost no need for maintenance with Jewel of the Desert®. The flowers are self-cleaning and do not need deadheading. The plant spreads by forming roots everywhere the leaf axils touch ground, making for a dense blanket of foliage and flowers in a short amount of time. Ice plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and needs little winter protection as long as soil drainage stays excellent year-round. Jewel of the Desert® Spacing Amethyst Ice Plant is smaller and more compact than other older varieties. The mature height is 4-6 inches with a spread of 8-12 inches. To provide dense coverage, place plants 10 inches apart center on center. Container-grown ice plants will need a pot or hanging basket with at least a 12-inch diameter for 3 plants.