Delosperma, Ice Plant 'Jewel of Desert Garnet'

Here in Atlanta, GA, USA, Jewel of Desert Garnet languished a bit, didn't bloom much, after I planted it last spring. But this spring it ...Read Moreperked up and has been covered with small, exquisitely colored flowers since March. It's late April, and the flowering is just ending--just as the Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant starts up. See image above. I planted 'Peridot' and 'Moonstone' last year at the same time as 'Garnet.' Neither of them survived the winter, but 'Garnet' is in a slightly higher corner of the garden along with other thriving succulents, so I expect the drainage there is better. Will give the others a try again, I expect.

Very slow spreading so far, compared to Delosperma cooperii.

I am trialling this plant this year to see how it performs in the UK. This is probably a form of Delosperma dyeri.

Delospe...Read Morerma species can be a bit disappointing compared to the traders' hype. Yes, they can be very hardy -- but only in climates with hot summers which harden them off to the winter frosts. And only where the soil is very well drained -- such as the US.

The flowers of this variety are only about 3 cm wide (c.1 ") and, like most Delosperma species, the petals are narrow and the flowers don't really make much of an impact -- not like the popular annual ''Livingstone Daisy''.

If you expect this to act as ''ground cover'' you're in for a long wait -- mine have grown to 4" wide in 10 weeks -- and it's been a hot summer!

I'll keep you updated.