The ice plant, also called swamp mallow or trailing hibiscus, blooms year-round and is very drought tolerant. It is also heat and cold tolerant.
Although it will self-sow, propagation from cuttings is easier. Use a sharp, sanitized pair of shears to take a stem cutting and place it in potting soil with rooting hormone.
Watering
If a plant is described as ‘hardy perennial’ it should be able to stand up to average low winter temperatures and come back every year with blooms. These tough-as-nails plants will thrive in most climates, putting up with drought and poor soil, and coming back to surprise you with their beauty year after year.
A hardiness zone map, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), classifies a plant by the minimum average winter temperature it can withstand. The zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperature divided into 10 degrees Fahrenheit increments.
Most plants that have been bred as cultivars are hardier than their wild counterparts. The hardiness of a plant is also dependent on the location where it grows and how well the soil drains. A pot, for example, will thaw and freeze more frequently than the ground (soil) and is less likely to survive cold temperatures, which can be a problem for half-hardy perennials like dahlias.
Fertilizing
Ice plants add cool to the landscape with flowers that look like ice crystals. They are easy to grow and tolerant of heat, drought, neglect and shade. Prune after flowering to promote reblooming.
Plant in fall (late August or September) for a better chance at establishing a strong root system before hot weather arrives. They prefer to be planted in soil enriched with compost and require regular watering. Plant them close to other perennials but avoid crowding. They are reblooming and clump forming hardy perennials that thrive in sun to part shade.
Fertilizer supplies a variety of essential nutrients in a form that is easy for plants to use. Many fertilizers contain micronutrients, too, which are often overlooked. When overused, though, fertilizers can be harmful to plants and can run off into rivers and lakes causing toxic algal blooms. Using a slow-release or liquid fertilizer is best. Most plants do well with monthly applications throughout the growing season.
Pruning
While the right plants can make your garden a paradise, there are times that pruning is essential. Overgrown shrubs can become overcrowded and interfere with light and air circulation, while pests like hornworms can damage or even kill them.
Often, the first signs of overcrowding can be seen in the leaves or flowers of the plant. Thinning cuts shorten but do not remove branches or shoots, and they encourage more vigorous growth on the remaining plant (Figures 6 and 7). Avoid flush cutting, which damages or exposes wound tissue to disease organisms. The correct cut preserves the branch bark ridge and collar, which forms a protective callus that seals and heals the wound (Figure 8).
Harvesting
A garden of hardy plants that bloom throughout summer adds interest and color to a landscape, even when the temperature falls. It also encourages hummingbirds and butterflies to visit.
There are many ways to propagate these perennials, including seed and stem cuttings. For seeds, start them indoors three months before the last frost date. If you live in a warm climate, sow them directly in the ground after the last frost date.
The Chicago hardy fig is a striking flowering plant that can add a splash of color to any landscape. It produces large flowers in shades of pink, red and white, and has dark green to burgundy foliage. It’s a good choice for gardens in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5-9, and it thrives in full sun. It’s a great addition to pollinator gardens and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. It grows to 3-4 feet in height and spread, so you’ll want to keep it contained.