Product Description
Delosperma 'Fire Spinner'
Common Name: Trailing ice plant, hardy ice plant
Zones: 5 to 10;
Full sun and well-drained soil.
Mature height 3 inches, plant 9 to 24 inches apart.
2012 Plant Select winner.
Succulent semi-evergreen, with cylindrical needle-like, green-apple leaves; low-growing trailing groundcover. Upturned tri-colored flowers of bright orange and purple have a dark halo effect with vibrant pink base and a white eye. Almost a neon look from early-summer through frost. In autumn the leaves turn golden yellow with flushes of pink at the tips.
Delosperma 'Fire Spinner' is a vibrant and eye-catching succulent groundcover that adds a burst of color to dry, sunny gardens. Here is a summary of what makes it so popular:
Appearance and Characteristics:
- Unique tri-colored flowers: 'Fire Spinner' boasts stunning, small, daisy-like flowers with a unique color combination. The petals are a vibrant orange-red with a magenta or purplish-pink ring surrounding a bright white center. This creates a "fire-like" effect, hence the name.
- Succulent foliage: It has fleshy, small, and needle-like green leaves that are often covered in tiny, ice-like crystals, giving it the common name "ice plant."
- Low-growing and spreading: 'Fire Spinner' is a low-growing, spreading plant that forms a dense mat, making it an excellent groundcover.
- Long blooming period: It blooms profusely from late spring through summer, and often reblooms sporadically throughout the fall.
Growing Conditions and Care:
- Sunlight: Absolutely thrives in full sun. It needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to flower well.
- Soil: Requires well-drained soil. It is very drought-tolerant and does not like wet feet. Sandy or gravelly soils are ideal.
- Watering: Once established, it needs very little watering. In fact, overwatering is the most common cause of problems with ice plants. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Maintenance: Very low maintenance. You may need to trim it back occasionally to control its spread.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 5-10, depending on the specific cultivar.
Benefits:
- Drought tolerant: An excellent choice for dry, hot climates and xeriscaping.
- Vibrant color: The unique flower colors add a stunning pop of color to the garden.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
- Deer resistant: Deer generally avoid ice plants.
- Easy to care for: A great choice for beginner gardeners or those looking for low-maintenance plants.
Uses:
- Groundcover: Ideal for covering large areas, slopes, or banks.
- Rock gardens: Thrives in rocky, well-drained conditions.
- Borders and edging: Adds a colorful border to beds and walkways.
- Containers: Can be grown in containers, especially in areas with poor soil.
Overall, Delosperma 'Fire Spinner' is a tough, beautiful, and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for adding a splash of vibrant color to sunny, dry gardens. Its unique flowers, drought tolerance, and ease of care make it a popular choice for gardeners of all levels.
Ten (10) plants in Quart containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
