Scientific Name
Delosperma cooperi (Hook.f.) L.Bolus
Common Names
Hardy Ice Plant, Trailing Ice Plant, Pink Carpet, Purple Ice Plant, Hardy Purple Ice Plant, Cooper's Ice Plant, Cooper's Hardy Ice Plant
Synonyms
Mesembryanthemum cooperi
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Delosperma
Flower
Color: Magenta or pink
Bloom Time: June to September
Description
Delosperma cooperi is a perennial evergreen succulent with needle-like leaves studded with fluorescent pink. The leaves are nearly cylindrical but flattened on the top, up to 2.15 inches (5.5 cm) long, up to 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide, and up to 0.2 inches (5 mm) thick. The daisy-like flowers are magenta or pink and up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
Delosperma flowers grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9 and will bloom for most of the summer and fall. Their foliage is mostly evergreen and, because of this, they make a great year-round ground cover. While the plant is evergreen, it will often have some dieback of foliage in the winter. Delospermas prefer full sun but can tolerate some light shade in the garden. Because Delospermas are succulents, they do not tolerate wet soil, though they do well in poor soils. In fact, wet soil, especially during the winter months, is likely to kill the plants. In areas where the soil stays consistently dry, this plant can become invasive, so it is best to consider this when planting it.
The Ice Plant can be propagated by division, cuttings, or seeds. If propagating by division, it is best to divide the plants in the spring. See more at How to Grow and Care for Delosperma.
Origin
Native to Lesotho and South Africa.
Links
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