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Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet Ice Plant
Delosperma 'Jewel of the Desert Garnet'
Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet is a great pick when you want intense color in a low, drought-tolerant plant. The red flowers really stand out against the succulent foliage, and the compact habit makes it easy to use in rock gardens, containers, sunny edges, and dry spots where taller perennials would feel out of place. I especially like it where drainage is sharp and the plant can spill slightly over stone, gravel, or container edges.
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Red Succulent Ground Cover for Hot, Sunny Gardens
Garnet-red flowers with high-impact color.
Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet produces bright scarlet-red to garnet-red, daisy-like flowers with glowing yellow centers, creating a bold color display on a very low-growing plant. The flowers sit just above tight succulent foliage, making the whole plant look like a jewel-toned carpet when it is in bloom. Use it where homeowners want strong red flower color in sunny beds, rock gardens, containers, and low-water plantings without adding height or heavy foliage.
A drought-tolerant ground cover for dry spaces.
This hardy ice plant is built for hot, sunny, sharply drained locations where water-wise performance matters. Once established, its succulent foliage helps it handle heat, dry soil, gravelly beds, sandy areas, and lean garden conditions that can stress thirstier perennials. It is a strong choice for rock gardens, dry borders, curbside beds, sunny slopes, gravel gardens, and xeriscape-style plantings where homeowners want flower color with lower watering needs.
Perfect for rock gardens, edging, walls, and containers.
Jewel of the Desert Garnet Ice Plant forms a tight, low mound or mat that fits beautifully into small garden spaces and detailed plantings. It can soften stone edges, spill gently from containers, tuck into rock garden pockets, or brighten the front edge of a sunny perennial bed. Its compact habit makes it especially useful where a larger ground cover would feel too aggressive, but where a colorful, spreading plant is still needed to cover soil and add texture.
Deer-resistant color with pollinator appeal.
Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet is considered deer resistant, making it a practical choice for sunny landscapes where browsing pressure can limit plant options. The open, colorful flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, adding movement and wildlife value to dry garden designs. This combination of drought tolerance, pollinator appeal, and browsing resistance makes it a useful plant for low-maintenance landscapes that still need strong seasonal color.
Low maintenance when drainage is right.
This ice plant is easy to grow when planted in full sun and sharply drained soil, but it does not tolerate soggy conditions. Sandy, gravelly, rocky, lean, or average soils can work well as long as water drains away quickly from the crown. Avoid heavy wet clay, overwatering, and winter-wet locations; with proper drainage, Jewel of the Desert Garnet rewards the garden with vivid blooms, succulent texture, and tidy low-growing coverage.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 3 to 6 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 8 to 12 Inches |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun |
| Soil | Well-drained soil; performs well in sandy, gravelly, rocky, average, dry, or lean soil |
| Water | Water regularly after planting; drought tolerant once established and prefers to dry slightly between waterings |
| Bloom Time / Color | Late spring through summer, often continuing into late summer or fall; scarlet-red, garnet-red, or red flowers with yellow centers |
| Foliage: | Fleshy green to olive-green succulent foliage that forms a tight low mat; Evergreen to semi-evergreen in mild climates; |
| Ornamental Features | Red daisy-like flowers, yellow centers, succulent foliage, compact mat-forming habit, long bloom season |
| Resistance | Deer resistant, drought tolerant once established, heat tolerant, dry-soil tolerant, and generally low maintenance |
| Landscape Uses | Rock gardens, sunny borders, dry slopes, xeriscapes, edging, containers, retaining walls, gravel gardens, mass plantings, pollinator gardens, and low-water landscapes |
How to Care for Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet Ice Plant
After purchasing your Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet, read these planting instructions to ensure your plant is happy and healthy.
How should I plant Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet Ice Plant?
Plant Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet in full sun with sharply drained soil. Sandy, gravelly, rocky, average, or cactus-style soil works well, but heavy clay or compacted soil should be improved or avoided because ice plants are sensitive to wet roots. Dig a shallow hole just wide enough for the root ball and set the crown level with the surrounding soil. Backfill gently, water lightly to settle the plant, and space plants about 10 to 12 inches apart for tight coverage or slightly farther apart if you want each plant to show as an individual mound.
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How often should I water Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet after planting?
Water Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet regularly during the first growing season while the roots establish, but do not keep the soil constantly wet. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to reduce the risk of crown or root rot. Once established, this ice plant is drought tolerant and usually needs very little supplemental water in the ground. In containers, water when the potting mix has dried down, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
When should I fertilize Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet?
Fertilize Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet lightly in spring only if growth appears weak or the soil is extremely poor. A small amount of compost, a low-rate balanced slow-release fertilizer, or a cactus/succulent fertilizer is usually enough. Avoid heavy feeding, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizer, because overly rich conditions can encourage soft growth and fewer flowers. This plant generally performs best in lean, well-drained soil with plenty of sun.
When and how should I prune Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet?
Prune Delosperma Jewel of the Desert Garnet in early spring by removing dead, winter-damaged, or leggy stems before new growth fills in. Light trimming can also help shape the mat and keep the plant from spreading beyond its intended space. During the growing season, little pruning is usually needed because this ice plant is naturally compact and low-growing. If the plant looks tired after a heavy bloom cycle, a light trim can refresh the foliage and encourage a cleaner appearance.
