Messembs as groundcovers?

[Allen Repashy]

I have been playing around with sever species of messembs to evaluate their potential as a xeric groundcover alternative to the current popular choices. Obviously it won't cover quickly like "Red Apple" but I think there is some huge potential for some of these species to be used this way...

I have so far had good luck with several Aloinopsis species, as well as Bergeranthus. Anyone else been giving this a go?

[palmbob]

Originally Posted by Allen Repashy

I have been playing around with sever species of messembs to evaluate their potential as a xeric groundcover alternative to the current popular choices. Obviously it won't cover quickly like "Red Apple" but I think there is some huge potential for some of these species to be used this way...

I have so far had good luck with several Aloinopsis species, as well as Bergeranthus. Anyone else been giving this a go?

You have an Aloinopsis that can survive the winter? Wow. I can't get one to live a month even in a pot in a protected area outdoors... There are Bergeranthus being used as ground cover at the Huntington. Delospermas can make great (sometimes 'too great') ground covers. I have one that I am having to constantly yank up now as it swarms over everything. So careful with some of those.

[acantholimon]

We grow several species of both Bergeranthus and Aloinopsis in Denver (which experiences severe winter cold), although they are all rather too small for groundcover purposes in my opinion.

Delosperma are certainly more vigorous and fit the bill, although I don't think they are dangerously spready (as some of the exotic Carpobrotus have proved in California).

We have a large bed with a couple dozen groundcovering mesembs at Denver Botanic Gardens you can check out at this URL:

http://s979.photobucket.com/albums/a...y242010288.jpg

[palmbob]

Here are a few groundcover Mesembs at local botanical gardens

Antimima granitica
Bergeranthus jamesii
Cephalophyllum Red Spike (lots of Cephalophyllums are used for groundcovers)
Chasmatophyllum musculinum

[palmbob]

and, of course, a few more:

Cheiridopsis aspera (another popular genus with multiple choices)
Delosperma tradescantioides (a super common groundcover genus)
Drosanthemum floribundum
Erepsia heteropetala

[palmbob]

and more still:

Faucaria longidens (some of these Faucarias do well as groundcovers)
Frankenia laevis (this is a mesemb, right?)
Glottiphyllum linguiforme
Lampranthus aurantiaca (lots of great colors in this genus)

[palmbob]

and maybe one last post:

Machairophyllum bijlii
Malephora crocea
Orthopterum coegana
Oscularia deltoides

[palmbob]

OK, I lied... here's another group:

Pleiospilos peersii (several Pleiospilos make decent, though somewhat limited in area, groundcovers in so Cal)
Ruschia pulchella (another genus with multiple groundcover options)
Stomatium villetii (ditto)
Trichodiadema intonsum

[Kelly]

Mesembs (we call them 'ice plants' for some unknown reason) do very well down here in NZ and can make stunning groundcovers but I have found they have the nasty habit of harbouring snails and slugs in winter and also promoting collar rot around some of the more fussy or wimpy aloes etc. But you guys probably know that and I suppose it wouldn't be a problem in drier winter areas. Those with winter rain should be aware of these issues, though.
And when they get caught by a rogue frost and go sludgy, it's on an epic scale

Not everyone loves 5m square of electric purple or pineapple yellow blooms but if you can handle the jandal, they're very *ahem* impactful.

[Boo Hollow]

Allen = Since CalTrans has to spend tons of money to eradicate Ice Plants, I am sure you can get them for free.