Hearts & Flowers

Plant Type: ground cover
Plant Height: 6 inches
Spread: 2-3 feet
Flower Color: pink or magenta
Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Hearts & Flowers (Aptenia cordifolia): Vibrant Groundcover for Water-Wise Arizona Gardens

Hearts & Flowers, also known as Baby Sun Rose or Heartleaf Ice Plant (Aptenia cordifolia), is a low-growing, succulent groundcover native to South Africa that thrives in Arizona’s hot, dry climate. This drought-tolerant plant is perfect for xeriscaping and rock gardens, where it adds a splash of vibrant color with minimal water requirements.

Key Features of Hearts & Flowers

1. Compact Growth: Growing only about 6 inches tall, Hearts & Flowers spreads up to 2 to 3 feet wide, creating a dense mat of lush green, heart-shaped leaves. Its spreading nature makes it an ideal groundcover for large areas, filling in space quickly with minimal maintenance.

2. Bright, Drought-Tolerant Blooms: From spring to fall, the plant produces small, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink or magenta. The blooms open in full sun, adding bright color to the landscape throughout the growing season.

3. Succulent Foliage: The thick, water-storing leaves retain moisture, allowing Hearts & Flowers to withstand hot, arid conditions and reducing the need for frequent watering.

Growing Hearts & Flowers in Arizona

1. Sunlight Requirements: Hearts & Flowers thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. More sun encourages abundant flowering, while partial shade offers a break from Arizona’s intense heat.

2. Soil and Watering Needs: This plant prefers well-draining soil and is extremely drought-tolerant once established. Ideal for xeriscaping, it requires only occasional watering in dry periods and minimal care overall.

3. Adaptability: Although best suited to dry conditions, Hearts & Flowers can adapt to more humid areas if soil drainage is sufficient, making it versatile in a range of garden environments.

Landscaping Ideas for Hearts & Flowers

• Groundcover: Use Hearts & Flowers to cover large sunny areas, creating a lush, low-maintenance carpet of green and pink that suppresses weeds and enhances garden textures.
• Rock Gardens and Xeriscaping: With its drought tolerance and love for full sun, Hearts & Flowers is perfect for Arizona rock gardens and water-efficient landscapes.
• Containers and Walls: Let it cascade over the edges of containers, walls, or garden borders for a decorative touch that adds dimension and color.

Why Choose Hearts & Flowers?

Hearts & Flowers is a versatile, low-maintenance option that brings year-round interest to landscapes in Arizona and other arid regions. Its bright, resilient flowers and succulent foliage make it a top choice for gardeners looking to enhance outdoor spaces while conserving water. For a touch of color and lush groundcover with minimal effort, Hearts & Flowers is an unbeatable option.

Three Timbers Installation Guide (Feel Free to Follow): Hearts & Flowers

Planting Guide:

• Location: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming)
• Soil: Well-drained, loamy or sandy soil (slightly acidic to neutral soil preferred)
• Spacing: Space plants 1.5-2 feet apart for ground cover or as a low shrub
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface
• Support: Hearts & Flowers requires no staking and grows as a low-maintenance, compact shrub with attractive flowers

Watering Guide:

Watering After Planting:

• Initial Watering: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil
• Frequency: Water every 3-4 days for the first 2-3 weeks to help establish the root system
• Watering Amount: Provide 1 inch of water per session for deep watering

When is the Plant Established?

• Timeframe: Hearts & Flowers is considered established after 2-3 months when the roots have spread into the surrounding soil

Watering Once Established:

• Summer: Water every 7-10 days during the hotter months. If temperatures exceed 100°F, increase watering to every 5-7 days. Provide 1.5-2 inches of water per session.
• Winter: Water every 3-4 weeks during the cooler months, depending on rainfall.

Drip Irrigation Setup:

• Placement of Emitters: Place the drip emitters 12-18 inches away from the base of the plant for even watering
• Flow Rate: Use emitters with a flow rate of 1-2 gallons per hour
• Number of Emitters: 1 emitter per plant for even watering distribution
• Adjusting Frequency: Increase watering frequency in summer to every 5-7 days, and reduce to every 3-4 weeks in winter