ICE PLANTDelospermaAPPEARANCE: With its long-lasting, brilliant daisylike flowers, ice plant, or Delosperma spp., garners attention as the prima donna of xeriscape gardens. Originally from South Africa, this low-growing perennial ground cover is a vigorous spreader, forming a dense mat, with full sun and welldrained soil. Tiny leaf hairs that sparkle like ice crystals give this succulent its common name.CULTIVATION: Pink and purple varieties are hardy to 6,500 feet, and bloom most of the growing season, a boon to Colorado springtime gardeners. The yellow D. nubigenum, blooms earlier, and is hardy to 7,500 feet. Although the flamboyant fuchsia D. cooperi is widely available, CSU Extension recommends the salmon-pink “Mesa Verde” and the blazing scarlet “Red Mountain” varieties for its Plant Select Program.LANDSCAPE USE: Good for tough areas like hillsides or narrow strips, ice plants need little supplemental water and appreciate a gravel mulch to keep the crowns dry. However, they cannot be stepped on, and may not be deer and rabbit-resistant. Complement ice plants with other lowgrowing xeric plants, like the white Achillea ageratifolia.You can find ice plant at the Horticultural Arts Society Plant Sale being held May 16-18.Contributed by Brook E. Mark, Colorado Master Gardener. For answers to your horticultural questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 636.8921 or CSUmg2@elpasoco.com.

Photo by (PHOTO COURTESY OF LESLIE HOLZMANN, COLORADO MASTER GARDENER)