Whenever you hear fire and ice in one sentence you know something good is coming next. Fire Spinner Hardy Ice Plant will not disappoint you. With an unique coloration of bright fiery orange with a light purple ring and a white center, Fire Spinner will turn heads when included in your garden bed or landscape. Growing to just 3 inches tall, it is little in size, but mighty in visual impact. The succulent gray green foliage turns a gorgeous burgundy color in the fall.
West Coast gardeners have enjoyed this versatile little full sun perennial for some time now, and it is time for Midwest and East Coast gardeners to reap the many benefits it brings. Native to South Africa, and hardy in Zones 5-9, this tough flowering ground cover is surprisingly suited for most climates in the United States. The landlocked upper tier of the West, Midwest and Northeast are exceptions, as the harsh winters do not sit well with the Hardy Ice Plant, but gardeners everywhere else will find a new favorite perennial for their full sun locations.
Fire Spinner® Hardy Ice Plant Care
This is a low maintenance ground cover perennial that has many uses in tough-to-plant landscapes as well as mainstream gardens. Plant in full sun, it can take the heat. Leaves are succulent in nature so moderate drought is tolerated. Sandy loam soil is preferred, but this little toughy can grow on gravel. Xeriscape gardeners will appreciate its low water needs and its ability to thrive in any soil pH range. Fertilizer is generally not needed. Avoid poor draining locations as this plant will likely not survive these conditions.
Deadheading is not needed to gain masses of bright neon flowers. Pruning is not needed, either. In the spring, before it breaks dormancy or starts flowering, clean any debris or dead branches and remove spent flowers to give it a cleaning before it bolts into bloom again. Winter protection is usually not needed in the zones it is hardy in.
Fire Spinner® Hardy Ice Plant Spacing
Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart to give them room to spread out. Growing just 3 inches tall, it will spread out 24 inches and is an effective weed suppressant. Deer typically won’t browse on it, but the butterflies won’t stay away. Hardy Ice Plant also makes an attractive container plant, but treat it like an annual when planted in this application. It is beautiful when mass planted in your landscape or rock garden as it quickly fills in to create a carpet of brilliant color and continuous blooms.
Fire Spinner® Hardy Ice Plant Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Plant Type: Perennial
Sunlight Exposure: Full Sun
Mature Height: 1 – 3 Inches
Mature Width: 1 – 2 Feet
Plant Spacing: 1 – 2 Feet
Growth Habit: Spreading
Flower Color(s): Orange, Pink
Flower Shade: Apricot & Magenta
Seasonal Interest: Early Summer Late Spring
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Apple Green
Resists: Deer
Tolerates: Drought
Features: Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance
