Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby'

Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby': Deep Pink Deepening to Crimson

Ruby-red petals around a white centre, spreading in a low, fleshy mat that turns a blazing hot patch into a velvet ring box. This ice plant is the anniversary gift you buy yourself. SPOIL YOURSELF FIRST.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Delosperma cooperi 'Jewel of Desert Ruby'
• Common Name: Hardy Ice Plant
• Series: Jewel of Desert
• Height: 10–15 cm (4–6 in)
• Spread: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Flowers: Ruby-red to deep pink petals with a white centre and yellow anthers. They open in sunshine.
• Bloom Time: Late spring to fall (May to September)
• Foliage: Small, fleshy green leaves forming a low, spreading mat

Where to Plant: Ruby works anywhere that's sunny, dry and close to eye level: rock gardens, the top of a retaining wall, gravel beds, path edges and containers. Its rich colour stands out against grey stone.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Ruby' at the front of a hot, dry bed with steel blue and crimson behind it. Gaillardia 'Arizona Red Shades' adds crimson daisies at 25 to 30 cm from June to September. Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' brings periwinkle blue flowers at 36 to 46 cm from June to September. Eryngium 'Big Blue' adds metallic steel-blue sea holly at 70 to 75 cm from June to August. Panicum Prairie Winds® 'Totem Pole' rises behind at 180 cm on stiff, powdery blue stems.

Plant Care: Give it full sun and soil that drains quickly, such as sand, gravel or a gritty mix. Water during the first few weeks, then only during long droughts. Fertilizer isn't needed. In our region, wet winter soil is more dangerous than cold. Avoid heavy clay and low areas where water sits after snowmelt. Raised beds, slopes and wall tops are ideal. Keep thick mulch away from the crown. No cutting back is needed. Trim out any dead patches in spring, and lift rooted pieces from the edge if you want to start more plants.

History: Delosperma cooperi is native to South Africa. 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' was bred by Koichiro Nishikawa in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, selected in November 2006 from a self-cross in his breeding program, and first propagated from cuttings in 2009.

Final Thoughts: Drought tolerant, deer resistant and swarmed by bees and butterflies. Plant a few along the walkway. FORTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE NOT REQUIRED.