STARBURST™ ice plant
Delosperma floribundum
STARBURST™ ice plant (Delosperma floribundum) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Pink daisies with white centers, late spring through summer; succulent foliage.
Plant Select®low water2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Mahomed Desai, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: stephen boisvert from Chicago, United States, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 3: Photo by David J. Stang, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: stephen boisvert from Chicago, United States, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–10
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hot south- or west-facing walls, Slopes & erosion control, Hellstrips / parking strips
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Growth habit
- Mat-forming
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, mid summer
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Evergreen
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Using STARBURST™ ice plant as a groundcover
STARBURST™ ice plant forms a low mat. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. On a slope it helps knit the soil together and control erosion.
Planting & establishment
Needs sharp drainage; rots in wet clay.
Frequently asked questions
- Is STARBURST™ ice plant good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, STARBURST™ ice plant is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does STARBURST™ ice plant get?
- It matures to about 2–4 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant STARBURST™ ice plant?
- Space STARBURST™ ice plant about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is STARBURST™ ice plant hardy on the Front Range?
- STARBURST™ ice plant is hardy in USDA 5–10. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does STARBURST™ ice plant need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is STARBURST™ ice plant native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is STARBURST™ ice plant deer-resistant?
- STARBURST™ ice plant is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on STARBURST™ ice plant?
- STARBURST™ ice plant isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will STARBURST™ ice plant spread or stay put?
- STARBURST™ ice plant is mat-forming. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Is STARBURST™ ice plant good for a slope?
- Yes. STARBURST™ ice plant helps hold soil on Front Range slopes and control erosion once its roots knit in.
- How long does STARBURST™ ice plant bloom?
- STARBURST™ ice plant blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
