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Delosperma

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
deh-loh-SPUR-ma
Description

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:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#edging#groundcover#rock garden#bee friendly#container plant#full sun#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Delosperma nubigenum, Delosperma 'Oberg', Delosperma sutherlandii
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#low growing#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#edging#groundcover#rock garden#bee friendly#container plant#full sun#landscape plant sleuths course
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green spreading stems with short hairs
  • 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