Common Name: livingstone daisy
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Aizoaceae
Zone: 9 to 10
Height: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to October
Bloom Description: Red
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual, Ground Cover
Leaf: Colorful
Culture
A tender perennial that is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10. Where not winter hardy, it is typically grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. It is typically grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers a dryish, sandy to gravelly soil. Good tolerance for drought and heat. Likes cool nights. Good soil drainage is essential for growing this plant well. Avoid overwatering, but do not allow soils to completely dry out. Sow seed indoors 10-12 weeks prior to last spring frost for summer to fall bloom (June to October).
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dorotheanthus bellidiformis (formerly known as Mesembryanthemum criniflorum) is a succulent mat-forming tender perennial/annual that is native to somewhat poor infertile soils in desert areas of South Africa. It is noted for its dense, prostrate, free-branching, spreading form with abundant late spring-summer bloom of small daisy-like flowers. Plants typically grow to 3-6" tall and spread to 12" wide or more. Rough, thick, oval leaves to 2" long and 1/4" wide are dark green with tiny translucent spots (papillae) which glimmer, hence the additional common name of ice plant. Daisy-like flowers (to 1 1/2" diameter) feature flower colors of white, pink, yellow, orange, apricot, reddish-purple and magenta. Plants are often sold by nurseries in a mixture of flower colors rather than in one color.
Genus name honors Dorothea Schwantes, mother of the German specialist on succulent plants, Dr. Martin Heinrich Schwantes (1881-1960), archaeologist and professor at Kiel.
Specific epithet means in the form of bellis in reference to the similarity of plant flowers to those of Bellis perennis (English lawn daisy).
Common name of Livingstone daisy presumably honors David Livingstone (1813-1873) Scottish missionary and physician who explored the African continent.
'Mesbicla' features rose red, 0.75" wide flowers on spreading stems clad with variegated light green leaves edged with white. Mature plants will reach up to 8" tall spread to fill a 2' area. Often sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name MEZOO TRAILING RED.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs and scale.
Uses
Grows well in hot, dry locations. Border fronts, rock gardens, foundations. Ground cover, edger. Also effective in containers.