Hearts & Flowers
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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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