Very easy to grow in virtually any location. Tolerates hot, dry conditions. Does best in light, well-drained soil. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.
Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.
Light, well-drained soil.
Not necessary.
A spreading succulent subshrub with velvety silver foliage that is almost indestructible! The semi-trailing habit of this heat-tolerant plant stylishly accents other bright colors. PPAF ‘Wesdifanfisist’ Propagation Prohibited
The perfect choice for beds and borders. Looks great grown in containers and hanging baskets. Wonderful for combination plantings.
Herbs are ideal for containers. Pots can be brought indoors for the winter and placed near a sunny window for a continuous harvest year-round.
Prepare the garden by breaking up the existing soil (use a hoe, spade, or power tiller) to a depth of 12-16” (30-40cm). Add organic matter such as manure, peat moss or garden compost until the soil is loose and easy to work. Organic ingredients improve drainage, add nutrients, and encourage earthworms and other organisms that help keep soil healthy.
Check the plant label for suggested spacing and the mature height of the plant. Position plants so that taller plants are in the center or background of the landscape design and shorter plants in the foreground. To remove the plant from the container, gently brace the base of the plant, tip it sideways and tap the outside of the pot to loosen. Rotate the container and continue to tap, loosening the soil until the plant pulls smoothly from the pot.
Dig the hole up to two times larger than the root ball and deep enough that the plant will be at the same level in the ground as the soil level in the container. Grasping the plant at the top of the root ball, use your finger to lightly rake apart the lower roots apart. This is especially important if the roots are dense and have filled up the container. Set the plant in the hole.
Push the soil gently around the roots filling in empty space around the root ball. Firm the soil down around the plant by hand, tamping with the flat side of a small trowel, or even by pressing down on the soil by foot. The soil covering the planting hole should be even with the surrounding soil, or up to one inch higher than the top of the root ball. New plantings should be watered daily for a couple of weeks to get them well established.
Finish up with a 2” (5cm) layer of mulch such as shredded bark or compost to make the garden look tidy, reduce weeds, and retain soil moisture.
Dead branches should be removed close to the trunk, flush with the bark. When pruning to control a plant’s size or shape, cuts should be made just above a leaf bud and at a slight angle. This bud will be where the new growth sprouts.
Many shrubs can be regularly sheared to keep them shaped as a hedge, edging or formal foundation planting.
Always use sharp, clean tools when pruning. There are many tools available depending on the job. Hand shears, pruners, and loppers are ideal for most shrubs. Pole pruners and tree saws are better for large, mature shrubs or trees. If a tree is so large that it can’t be safely pruned with a pole pruner, it is best to call in a professional tree service.
Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.
Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.
A general-purpose fertilizer for house plants can be used for feeding cacti or succulents but it must be diluted to one quarter the strength of the normal rate.
Would DIDELTA Silver River be any less drought tolerant than this Silver Strand?
Hi Ellen,
The Didelta ‘Silver River’ is known for its heat and drought tolerance and should perform very well in those conditions.
I live in Pa. How do I overwinter this plant?
Thank you:)
Hi D,
Tips for getting a potted Didelta through the winter indoors include:
• Provide the brightest location you can, preferably a window with a southern or western exposure or put your plant under grow lights.
• Keep it out of cold drafts and away from cold window glass.
• Make sure the top couple inches of soil dry out between thorough waterings.
• Stop fertilizing unless your plant is actively growing.
When temperatures are consistently above 55°F you can take your potted plant back outside or even plant it in the ground for the summer.