Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Dancing Embers Ice Plant: A Glowing Carpet at Lavender's Feet
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Dancing Embers ice plant is a hardy Delosperma that forms a flat, evergreen mat of small, fleshy green leaves only 2 to 4 inches tall. From late May into June the mat disappears under glossy, daisy-like flowers in an almost solid reddish orange, each with a small cream center. In full sun it really does look like a bed of coals.
Dancing Embers at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Delosperma 'Dancing Embers' |
| Flowers | Reddish orange with a cream center, 1.5 to 2 inches across |
| Foliage | Bright green, succulent, evergreen |
| Size | 2 to 4 inches tall, about 2 feet wide in two years and still spreading |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-June, scattered flowers after |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Deer | Moderately resistant |
A groundcover that likes lavender's conditions
Few groundcovers can live at the base of lavender, because most of them want more water than lavender will tolerate. Ice plant is the exception. It thrives in hot sun, reflected heat from rocks and pavement and lean, gravelly soil, and it is very drought tolerant once established. Use it to carpet the open ground between lavender mounds, spill over a wall at the front of a bed or cover a sunny slope.
The timing is a bonus. It peaks in mid-June, just before most lavender opens, so the bed gets an orange glow first and a purple wave after. Orange and purple are a bold combination; if you prefer softer color, plant it at the edges rather than throughout. Map the layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
The hardiness question
Dancing Embers is rated to zone 6. In Michigan it is most reliable in zone 6 areas, and only with very sharp drainage. Wet winter soil kills far more ice plants than cold does. Gravel beds, raised beds, rock gardens and slopes give it the best odds. Check your zone with the USDA Zone Finder before you plant.
Care
- Water: sparingly. Let the soil dry well between waterings, even in the first season.
- Mulch: use gravel, not bark or compost, and keep it off the crowns.
- Pruning: none needed. It stays evergreen and keeps spreading slowly.
- Problems: almost all trouble is crown and root rot from overwatering or poor drainage.
Like other ice plants, the flowers close at night and on cloudy days, so do not be alarmed if the bed looks green on a gray morning. They will be back open once the sun returns.
It is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, enough to carpet a good stretch of slope or rock garden. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a true succulent?
Yes. The small, finger-shaped leaves store water, which is why it handles drought so well and hates wet feet.
Does it work in containers?
Yes. A shallow pot or trough with gritty mix in full sun suits it well.
Will it smother my lavender?
It spreads as a low mat and will not climb into lavender, but keep it a few inches away from the lavender crowns so air can move.
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