Delosperma ‘Stardust’

I didn’t plant any petunias this spring.  I can’t stand the amount of maintenance they require! 

When you deadhead petunias, they leave behind a sticky substance on your fingers.  I inevitably wipe it on my pants.  Did I mention I do most of my quick plant maintenance right before I leave for work in the morning?

Along the lines of deadheading, petunias require so much pinching – DAILY – in order to get a bushy flowering plant.  If you don’t pinch, you end up with stringy vines with sparse flowers – very unattractive. 

It was a little bit of a bummer having to wait a bit longer to plant my annuals, but it was worth it to avoid the summer long aggravation. 

In order to remedy this problem for next year I’ve decided to plant Stardust Ice Plant.  It blooms early and requires almost no maintenance.  I don’t even have to plant it each year – it’s a perennial!

I now present, Delosperma ‘Stardust’

Category	Perennial
Common Name	Ice Plant Delosperma
Formal Name	Delosperma floribunda ‘Stardust’
Description	A really cute plant with 2” purple blooms with white centers growing on dark green, succulent foliage.  This drought tolerant ground cover is great for those dry areas of your landscaping.  A hardy plant with blooms from spring to frost make this a beautiful addition.

 

 

Uses	Landscaping Groundcover Containers (it’s a spiller) Rock Gardens
Light Requirements	Full Sun
Soil Requirements	Tolerates almost all types of soil.  Sandy, clay, loamy – it doesn’t care!
Water Requirements	From dry to moist & well-drained.
Height	About 6”
Spread	About 12”
Growing Zone	5 – 8
Manicuring or Pruning	Cut back the dead stuff from the prior year in the spring.  Otherwise, leave it alone.
Fertilization	Early spring, then again in mid summer
Growth Cycle	Spring to frost.  Semi-evergreen in very mild climates.  Perennial that remains healthy with occasional division.
Bloom Time	Early spring thru frost
Bloom Color	Purple with white centers
Propagation	Seeds Cuttings Division (early spring every 2 - 3 years)
Maintenance Level	Low maintenance.  Baby it in the first year by making sure it has a good amount of water and fertilizer in order to get it well established.  Subsequent years require almost no maintenance.  That’s my kind of plant!
Special Features	Pest Resistant Disease Resistant Drought & Heat Tolerant Attracts Butterflies
Known Issues	Unknown
Planting Instructions	Surface sow seeds in moist soil.  Germination will occur after about two weeks as long as the temperature remains above 65 degrees.  Can be transplanted to 3” pots until they are ready to be planted directly in the ground.  Plant 12” to 15” apart.