Common Name: ice plant
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Aizoaceae
Zone: 7 to 11
Height: 0.25 to 0.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Ground Cover
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers a dryish, sandy soil. Good soil drainage is essential for the plant, particularly in winter where moist to wet soils can be fatal. Avoid overwatering. Good tolerance for drought and heat. Hardy in Zones 7-11. Best grown in a sheltered location in the St. Louis area where plants may not be reliably winter hardy.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Delosperma rogersii is a small, low-growing, perennial succulent native to rocky slopes in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This mat-forming plant is made up of semi-woody, trailing stems that can reach up to 5" tall and spread to fill an 8" area. The light green succulent leaves are lanceolate in shape and covered in tiny hairs. Small yellow flowers with white centers bloom from late spring through summer.
Genus name comes from the Greek words delos, meaning "evident" and sperma, meaning "seed" in reference to the exposed seeds.
The specific epithet rogersii honors Archdeacon Frederick Arundel Rogers (1876-1944), a British missionary and botanist who collected extensively in areas of central and southern Africa including South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia.
'Mini Wine' is a pink-flowering selection of Delosperma rogersii that will reach up to 6" tall and spread to fill a 2' area.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems. This plant is very susceptible to rot under wet conditions, particularly in winter.
Uses
Rock gardens, alpine gardens, miniature gardens, containers, hanging baskets. Suitable for xeriscaping.