What is the common name for Lampranthus spectabilis?
Lampranthus spectabilis, the trailing iceplant (a name it shares with other members of its family), is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (the common, ‘crystalline’ or ‘crystallinum’ iceplant, or simply ‘iceplant’) is a species of annual/perennial, succulent flowering plant in the Mesembryanthemum genus of the Aizoaceae family.
Where to plant lampranthus?
Ideal Conditions: Prefers full sun and free-draining soil or compost. Possible Situation: Ideal for rockeries, dry troughs, and gravel beds/gardens. Thrives in full sun in dry, well-drained soils. Fast drainage is essential to survival. If conditions are too wet, it will suffer and grow poorly. Tolerates average to nutritionally poor soils, including sandy and gravelly ones.Ideal Conditions: Prefers full sun and free-draining soil or compost. Possible Situation: Ideal for rockeries, dry troughs, and gravel beds/gardens.
Does Lampranthus spread?
The wiry stems of Lampranthus spectabilis spread out horizontally, bearing small blue-green finger-like leaves which can be up to 3 inches (8 cm) in length, but are often much shorter. Plants spread vigorously to create an attractive carpet, but the stems can easily be clipped if they go too far in a given direction. Lampranthus are spreading groundcover plants which are very happy in poor, dry, soils in full sun. Full sun is essential since the flowers mostly remain closed overnight and until the sun shines. They are entirely happy on top of dry stone faced earth banks or in crevices with soil in a wall or in a rockery.There are no medicinal or traditional uses associated with these plants. They are, however, sought out for their use in the garden. Lampranthus haworthii is popular in the horticultural industry. The plants are very showy and tough, and make fantastic water-wise subjects.Lampranthus are spreading groundcover plants which are very happy in poor, dry, soils in full sun. Full sun is essential since the flowers mostly remain closed overnight and until the sun shines. They are entirely happy on top of dry stone faced earth banks or in crevices with soil in a wall or in a rockery.
How do you care for a lampranthus plant?
Lampranthus plants prefer full sun and well drained soil. Protect from harsh frosts. If kept in pots, water sparingly in winter, re-pot every spring and water more generously in summer. Deadhead the flowers to encourage more throughout the summer. Regularly remove spent flowers from lampranthus haworthii to promote continuous blooming. This process, called deadheading, also helps conserve the plant’s energy for producing new blooms. After the flowering season, give lampranthus haworthii a light trim to remove spent blooms and shape the plant.Remember that deadheading is not about cutting back the whole plant, but removing the flowerhead so that the plant can reflower. For many plants, such as roses and cosmos, the advice is to cut the stem just above the first set of leaves below the wilted flowerhead.