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| Aptenia, or Hearts and Flowers, is a succulent that looks good with a little bit of shade and not in full sun unless the soil has been amended well. |
Q. This spring we re-landscaped our yard to include six
groundcover plants called Hearts and Flowers groundcover planted in full sun. They
did well in the cool, rainy spring. As
the weather got warmer, most of them turned brown starting at the center of the
plant and extending outward. They are
watered with two each, 2 gallon per hour emitters for 30 minutes three times a
week.
groundcover plants called Hearts and Flowers groundcover planted in full sun. They
did well in the cool, rainy spring. As
the weather got warmer, most of them turned brown starting at the center of the
plant and extending outward. They are
watered with two each, 2 gallon per hour emitters for 30 minutes three times a
week.
A. It sounds like it just got too hot for them in that
location. These plants are short-lived in the desert. Hearts and flowers are
succulents and not as tough in full sun as many cacti. They grow best in the
cooler months of spring and fall. They originate in the warm and dry parts of
South Africa in locations that have summer monsoons.
location. These plants are short-lived in the desert. Hearts and flowers are
succulents and not as tough in full sun as many cacti. They grow best in the
cooler months of spring and fall. They originate in the warm and dry parts of
South Africa in locations that have summer monsoons.
Hearts
and Flowers will grow in full sun out in the open if it is not a southern or
Western exposure with reflected heat. Plants will handle heat better if they
are planted in soils amended with good compost but prefer light shade in the
afternoons. The best place to put them is morning sun with some light shade in
the afternoons or on the east facing side of a wall. Typically, they have very
few pest problems.
and Flowers will grow in full sun out in the open if it is not a southern or
Western exposure with reflected heat. Plants will handle heat better if they
are planted in soils amended with good compost but prefer light shade in the
afternoons. The best place to put them is morning sun with some light shade in
the afternoons or on the east facing side of a wall. Typically, they have very
few pest problems.