Hardy Ice Plant 'Jewel of the Desert Garnet'

Delosperma 'Jewel of the Desert Garnet'

Aizoaceae

• Full sun
• About 4"–6" tall in bloom x 8"–10" wide; mat-forming succulent
• Drought Tolerance: Exceptional; requires sharp drainage
• Evergreen succulent; fleshy blue-green to green leaves
• Flower Color: Bicolor scarlet-red petals deepening to magenta, pale/gold center ~ 2 in daisy-like flowers with golden-yellow centers, (everbloomer)
• Wildlife Benefits: Nectar- and pollen-rich; attracts bees and butterflies

Garnet is a low, mat-forming hardy ice plant developed from the South African genus Delosperma and bred in Japan for compactness, color, and an exceptionally long flowering season. Its cultural needs are full sun and excellent, fast drainage above all else. It is extremely drought and heat tolerant once established and needs minimal irrigation, but it cannot survive wet feet, and winter-wet clay is its chief enemy in our climate. Site it in a raised, gritty, or rocky position where cold-season water moves through quickly, water it sparingly, and it will thrive on neglect. It has no significant pest or disease issues.

Garnet is a vivid counterpoint to the white Moonstone. From late spring until frost it is smothered in daisy-like flowers up to two inches across in a striking bicolor pattern: rich scarlet-red outer petals that deepen to magenta toward the center, ringing a small pale-and-gold eye. The color is at its most electric in high heat and full sun.  The blooms sit just above a dense, low mat of fleshy, blue-green succulent foliage and stays evergreen through our winters.  It is an everbloomer rather than a plant with a single flush, giving months of saturated color for very little input.

The nectar- and pollen-rich flowers draw bees and butterflies steadily across the long bloom season, making Garnet a useful generalist pollinator plant.

Use Garnet in rock and crevice gardens, wall tops and faces, raised beds, troughs, containers, paver joints, and sunny slopes for erosion control, all on a xeric water budget. It shines at the front of a hot, dry border and in any SpokaneScape planting. Good companions include sedum, sempervivum, blue fescue, and other low sun-lovers, but its standout partner is Moonstone: alternating or drifting the scarlet Garnet through the white Moonstone ice plant creates a bold, long-lasting, high-contrast succulent tapestry that asks almost nothing in return once established.