Delosperma
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- deh-loh-SPUR-ma
- Description
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Delosperma is a genus in the ice plant family (Aizoaceae) native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These plants are low-growing and spread 1-2 feet. The foliage is sedum-like on pendulous stems and the flowers are 1- to 2-inch-wide showy flowers in various colors. They bloom June through October, and the plant is very drought and heat-tolerant.
Use these plants as a ground cover, in the front border as edging, in rock gardens, or in containers. They need full sun and very well-drained soils. Do not overwater or fertilize.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Rock and Crevice Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Delosperma nubigenum, Delosperma 'Oberg', Delosperma sutherlandii
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Delosperma nubigenum, Delosperma 'Oberg', Delosperma sutherlandii
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Delosperma
- Family:
- Aizoaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-2 inch flowers have several rays around the center disc flowers in a variety of colors
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Glistening medium to dark green leaves; nearly cylindrical in cross-section. Leaves have bladder-like hairs on the leaf surface that reflects light making them glisten.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green spreading stems with short hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
