Two obliging Africans...

Submitted by Kelaidis on Tue, 05/25/2010 - 13:23

I realize ice plants aren't for everyone...but these two may have a wider appeal than you might suspect. Bergeranthus are largely from the east Cape, and I find them quite tolerant of summer water: both Bergereanthus jamesii and the second image, Ebracteola wilmanniae have been growing in my rock garden alongside drabas and saxifrages and sempervivums. They have a very long bloom period and wonderful dense habit: I actually had the Ebracteola blooming this year in December and January between snowstorms! It's been blooming for months and shows no sign of stopping. It was a gift last spring from David Salman, owner of High Country Gardens and a great connoisseur of plants (and a good man to have visit your garden: he always brings memorable gifts!)...

Comments


Submitted by Weiser on Tue, 05/25/2010 - 15:28

PK
I'm always up for hardy South African succulents. I will have to start a separate list with you around.


Submitted by Martin Tversted on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 12:13

Is Ebracteola really that cold hardy? I need to retry it under different conditions....

Martin


Submitted by Kelaidis on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 10:55

We had -22F  (that's -30 Celsius!) at my house with little snow cover: the Ebracteola was blooming a week or two before that and has been blooming ever since. If that's not cold hardy, what is?

It's tough as nails: in our continental climate anyway. In maritime climates it could be tender..