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Delosperma JEWEL OF DESERT ice plant
Delosperma
Delosperma is a genus of low-growing, perennial succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, native mainly to the mountainous and semi‑desert regions of southern Africa, where it inhabits rocky slopes, crevices, and places where water disappears before it has a chance to soak in. The genus was described in the early 20th century by the British botanist Nicholas Edward Brown (1849–1934), who noticed the tiny, glistening cells on the surface of the leaves—features that gave the plants their name, derived from the Greek delos ("conspicuous") and sperma ("seed"). Delospermas are characterized by their fleshy, evergreen leaves capable of storing water for long periods, and by their strictly mat‑forming, creeping habit, which allows them to create dense, low carpets. During flowering, these inconspicuous cushions transform into a blaze of daisy‑like blooms that open only in full sun and rank among the most rewarding ornaments of dry, heat‑exposed sites.
The Jewel of Desert series is the result of a long‑term breeding program focused on ice plants with an exceptionally long flowering period, high drought tolerance, and the ability to overwinter reliably even in cooler climates. The series was developed by Koichiro Nishikawa, who began breeding the genus Delosperma in Japan in 1996 with the aim of creating plants that combine rapid growth, abundant flowering, and minimal water requirements. Over the years, he worked with several species, crossing them to create a carefully balanced genetic mix focused on beauty, durability, and reliability, without a clearly dominant species in individual cultivars. In 2006, Nishikawa moved both his family and the breeding work to the high‑altitude regions of Ecuador, where stable conditions and the possibility of year‑round work significantly accelerated the development of new hybrids. Nishikawa is regarded as a respected breeder of drought‑tolerant perennials, and his work is valued especially for its emphasis on long‑term plant performance under real garden conditions. In Europe, his plants are available through licensing cooperation with Plantipp and Ron van Dijk.
The Jewel of Desert series offers ice plants with exceptionally striking flowers in an extraordinary range of colours – from pure white and bright yellow through pink and several shades of red to fiery and orange tones that are truly eye‑catching. The flowers resemble large daisies, they are typically 2–4 cm across, and appear in great abundance from early summer well into autumn, often lasting until the first cold days as long as the sun is shining. The plants quickly produce new shoots, allowing them to spread into dense carpets that reliably cover the ground even in places where other plants struggle due to heat and drought.
Jewel of Desert series includes several cultivars which differ mainly in flower colour, while growth habit and cultivation characteristics remain highly uniform throughout the series. These have been introduced so far:
- Amethyst – deep pink (‘DSAM131’, EU 42933)
- Candystone – lilac pink (‘18CAN62’, EU 51780)
- Garnet – red (EU 34141)
- Grenade – deep red (‘DSAA131’, EU 42934)
- Moon Stone – white (EU 34143)
- Opal – intense lilac pink (‘DSAB131’, EU 42935)
- Peridot – yellow (EU 34142)
- Rosequartz – light pink (‘12ROSK1’, EU 39388)
- Ruby – purple red petals, orange corolla, white centres (EU 34139)
- Sunstone – copper red (‘18SUN52’, EU 51781)
- Topaz – golden yellow with white centres (EU 34140)
Ice plants are primarily grown in rock gardens and similarly styled plantings – among stones, in ornamental gravel, or in the crevices of dry stone walls – and combine well with perennials that share similar requirements but flower at different times, extending the overall attractiveness of the composition. They look particularly good among houseleeks and Lewisia, and can also be combined with low, compact drought‑tolerant grasses such as fescues. Stonecrops offer a contrasting palette of foliage colours, while ground‑covering pinks provide a different flower form. For those who enjoy herbs, the lowest‑growing types such as thyme or savory are especially suitable.
Ice plants from the Jewel of Desert series are typical plants of dry, stony sites with plenty of sun and fast‑draining soil. They require full sun and a very well‑drained substrate with a high mineral content. Heavy, clay‑rich, or persistently wet soils are unsuitable and must be significantly improved with gravel or sand. Once established, the plants are highly drought‑tolerant and require only minimal watering, while excess moisture – especially in winter – is the most common cause of failure. Fertilisation is unnecessary, and excessive nutrients may lead to lush but less resilient growth. In dry winter conditions, the plants tolerate temperatures down to approximately −20 °C (USDA zone 6); the key factor for successful overwintering is not frost itself but protection from winter moisture. Pruning is generally not required, apart from the light removal of damaged parts in spring.
Last update 02-06-2015; 15-02-2026
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
