Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby', a first-year flowering variety, is an evergreen (south of Zone 8) groundcover offering late spring into fall interest. Floriferous and long blooming, the plant sets masses of daisy-like deep red flowers with a white center and a halo of yellow anthers. The flowers thoroughly blanket the bush, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
Typical of Delosperma cooperi, commonly called ice plant, 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' is an herbaceous, succulent, mat-forming plant. It has a compact, horizontal habit of small, fleshy, blue-green leaves and spreads vigorously. Its heat- and sun-loving nature makes 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' a perfect candidate for xeriscapes and waterwise landscapes. But this ice plant works perfectly well in mixed beds and borders in areas that are sunny and dry.
Easy to grow, Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Ruby' prefers full sun and dry, well-drained soil but tolerates sandy and rocky soils. Avoid heavy unamended clay soils and wet areas with poor drainage. The plant is heat and drought tolerant and deer resistant.
