Delosperma × 'Fire Spinner'

fire spinner ice plant

Garden hybrid developed through the Plant Select program in Colorado from South African {Delosperma} germplasm collected at high elevations; selected by Panayoti Kelaidis of Denver Botanic Gardens; the tricolor flower pattern (orange tips, pink-magenta middle, white center) is specific to this cultivar among hardy ice plants and received the Plant Select award in 2012, making 'Fire Spinner' among the better-selling ice plant cultivars in North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Delosperma spp. × 'Fire Spinner' is a hybrid hardy ice plant forming a prostrate succulent mat 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) tall and 15-24 inches (38-60 cm) wide. The flower pattern is specific to this cultivar among hardy ice plants: each bloom 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across displays a tricolor gradient — orange at the ray tips fading to pink-magenta in the middle zone and white at the center — creating a pinwheel or spinning-fire effect. No other commercially available hardy ice plant has this three-zone color gradation. The tricolor pattern is most vivid on newly opened flowers and in cool weather; in extreme heat, the gradient may be less distinct. Bright green fleshy cylindrical succulent leaves form the evergreen mat. Developed through the Plant Select program in Colorado from South African germplasm collected at high elevations, 'Fire Spinner' is hardy to zone 5 in sharply drained conditions. The cultivar received the Plant Select award in 2012 and ranks among the better-selling ice plant cultivars in North America. In wet winter soil, the succulent foliage rots; gravel mulch and raised planting improve survival. The mat roots at nodes along trailing stems. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

Delosperma spp. × 'Fire Spinner' is a garden hybrid developed through the Plant Select program in Colorado from South African Delosperma spp. germplasm. It was selected by Panayoti Kelaidis of Denver Botanic Gardens.

Suggested Uses

Used in rock gardens, xeriscape plantings, between stepping stones, and on dry slopes. Container culture works in shallow pots of 1 gallon (3.8 L) or more. The tricolor pattern makes this a feature ground cover among simpler-colored companions. Mass plantings create a carpet of spinning-fire blooms.

How to Identify

Identified by tricolor pinwheel flowers with orange tips grading to pink-magenta then white at the center on a prostrate succulent mat. The three-zone color gradient is specific to this cultivar — no other commonly available hardy ice plant has this pattern. The bright green succulent ground-cover habit is characteristic of Delosperma spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 4"

Width/Spread1'3" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs from May through July, approximately 6 weeks. Tricolor flowers cover the mat. The gradient pattern is most vivid on fresh flowers in cool conditions. Sporadic reblooming may occur in early fall. Flowers open in sun.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Tricolor — orange ray tips fading to pink-magenta in the middle zone and white at the center, creating a pinwheel or spinning-fire pattern; flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across cover the mat in late spring through midsummer

Foliage Description

Bright green fleshy succulent cylindrical leaves form an evergreen mat

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light. Sharply drained lean sandy or rocky soil. Avoid fertilizer. Water sparingly. Top-dress with gravel. Plant on slopes or raised beds. Hardy to zone 5 in dry conditions.