Delosperma Jewel of Desert, also known as Hardy Ice Plant or Delosperma Cooperi, is a hardy ice plant cultivar developed by Darwin Perennials as a non-invasive and high-heat tolerant variety. Jewel of Desert Opal offers 2-inch pink flowers with yellow centers that bloom from June to September on evergreen succulent foliage. With a tight matting habit of 4-6 inches tall, spreading 8-10 inches, Delosperma is an ornamental addition to the landscape. It flourishes in full sun with little water and succeeds in borders, containers, and rock gardens. Choose Jewel of Desert to add bright flowers and visual interest to a xeriscape. For a unique color combination, plant Opal along with Delosperma Grenade.
Jewel Of Desert Opal Selling Tips
Sell this non-invasive Hardy Ice Plant to customers looking for a low-maintenance ornamental plant to add to a border, container, or xeriscape. Jewel Of Desert Opal offers superior heat tolerance, a long blooming season, and easy care. Create an attractive rustic landscape by pairing Jewel of Desert with sedum, sempervivum, creeping phlox, aurinia, and festuca. Customers will enjoy the large flowers and extensive color options of the Jewel of Desert cultivar. Delosperma Cooperi flourishes in full sun with little water, and its succulent foliage is evergreen to zone five.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 10-12 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun. Jewel Of Desert Opal doesn't do well in clay soils or other compacted soil that may have difficulty draining. Amend clay soils and use soil that drains well.
2. This plant needs minimal water in landscape applications.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Delosperma Jewel of Desert, plant one rooted plug per 4-inch or 6-inch container. Use a well-drained soil in full sun with medium feed (175-225 ppm N), a pH of 5.5-6.2, and an EC (by Saturated Media Extract method) of 1.0-1.2. Use 6,000-9,000 fc light and maintain a temperature of 62-67 degrees. You may see fungus gnats and this plant can develop root rot.
Flowering
Two-inch pink flowers with yellow centers bloom June-September.
Pinching
This plant may not require pinching. It may benefit from one or two pinches after transplanting.
Spacing
Space containers for sufficient airflow and sunlight penetration between plants. Jewel Of Desert Opal can grow to a 10" spread. We don't recommend using 1801s for rooted liners as they tend to get leggy and develop fungus with insufficient space.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require chemical growth regulators.
Pests
You may see fungus gnats.
Disease
Jewel Of Desert Opal can develop root rot. It is drought-tolerant once established, but needs to be watered well after transplanting. However, avoid oversaturating the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil at length, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot tends to occur in wet or humid conditions. Take these steps to prevent botrytis: water in the morning and allow the plant to dry out between waterings; provide good airflow in your greenhouse; space plants so the sun can penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, use an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Jewel Of Desert Opal Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch or 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil. Plant the ellepot level with the soil surface in the center of the pot. Water well immediately after transplanting and for several days.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Delosperma Jewel Of Desert Opal Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 6-8 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | - Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Fall, Summer, Spring |
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| Color | Purple |
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| Habit | Spreading |
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| Height | 4-6 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 62 |
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| Perennial Zone | 5-10 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | Yes |
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