Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Topaz'

Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Topaz': Sunset Orange Spread Across the Rocks

Yellow-orange petals dipped in red at the tips, around a pale centre, like a sunset shrunk down to fit in a rock garden. This ice plant opens in the sunshine and positively glows. GOLDEN HOUR, EVERY HOUR.

Plant Characteristics:

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

Where to Plant: Topaz brings warm colour to rock gardens, gravel gardens, hot slopes, wall crevices and patio containers. Plant a few together for a wider sweep of colour.

Companion Plants: Give 'Topaz' a hot, dry bed with orange and gold in summer and purple pea flowers in spring. Coreopsis UpTick™ Gold adds golden daisies at 30 to 36 cm from June to September. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Electric Orange brings intense orange coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from July to September. Baptisia 'Grape Escape' adds dusky purple spikes at 105 to 120 cm in May and June. Miscanthus 'Little Kitten' adds a compact, fine-bladed clump at 60 to 90 cm in flower.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in sandy, gravelly or otherwise fast-draining soil. Water through the first few weeks after planting, then only during long stretches without rain. Skip the fertilizer. Ice plants survive cold winters much better than wet ones. Avoid heavy clay and places where spring meltwater pools. Slopes, raised beds and rock walls are good choices. Don't smother it with leaves or thick mulch in fall. No cutting back is needed. Remove any winter-damaged growth in spring. Pieces with roots can be lifted from the edges and replanted.

History: Delosperma cooperi is a South African succulent valued in cold gardens for its hardiness. Japanese breeder Koichiro Nishikawa created Topaz in Aichi Prefecture from a self-cross made in May 2005 and selected it in his trial garden in November 2006.

Final Thoughts: Low, tough, drought tolerant once settled and ignored by deer. Plant it on the hottest edge you've got. YOUR PHONE WILL RUN OUT OF STORAGE.