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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid,
very humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (1200
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-3°C
SHAPE
Type
:
cacti, succulents
Height
:
0.1 m
Spread
:
1 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pink, red
Period
:
July - September
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
1.5 cm
Toxicity
:
inedible
This succulent perennial groundcover is native to South Africa and belongs to the ice plant
family (Aizoaceae, formerly Mesembryanthemaceae). It retains its fleshy leaves all year round.
They are heart-shaped, about 3 cm long and their bright green contrasts well with the tiny but
numerous magenta flowers that appear in summer and autumn. They consist of string-like petals
that enclose a small white centre, and open only during sunshine when they attract bees and
butterflies. Flowers are borne in the leaf axils and develop into capsules about 1 cm in size. Plants
will not exceed 10 cm height, but stems quickly grow to 60 cm in length. It tolerates full sun when
the soil is gritty and not too dry. Even though its succulent leaves store water, A. cordifolia does
not revel in heat or reflected sun. The plants may even become cholorotic and can eventually
expose unsightly bare twigs that will not recover properly. Light frosts, as may occur in Arriyadh,
do not harm this plant. In rock gardens, it makes an excellent groundcover. It does well in
containers too, where it looks best spilling over the edge. Pruning is easy and possible at any time.
Propagation by cuttings is simple and seeds also germinate well. There are variegated types or
cultivars with different blossom colours such as white, yellow, red and violet. A. cordifolia is best
planted in small areas in Arriyadh, where it can be used as a groundcover, in a rockery, a hanging
basket or cascading over the edge of a container.
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Aptenia cordifolia,
Aizoaceae
Baby Sun-Rose