Sizzling iceplant

After lunch I happened to peek over the 4-ft. fence that surrounds our front yard and my bleary eyes feel upon this sizzling sight:

Drosanthemum micans

An iceplant in full bloom! Not only that, it’s also the first iceplant this year to flower. I could swear it wasn’t blooming yesterday, but I don’t always look at this particular corner of the front yard. Plus, when iceplant flowers are closed—which is pretty much whenever the sun isn’t shining on them—they are difficult to spot; a closed iceplant flower doesn’t give away the vibrant colors inside.

This stunning iceplant is Drosanthemum micans. I bought it in April 2012 at Annie’s Annuals so it’s been in the ground for almost a year. It’s almost tripled in size but this is the first time it’s bloomed.

According to Annie’s web site, Drosanthemum micans forms a mound up to 2½ ft. tall and 3 ft. across. If and when that happens, people on the other side of the street will be blinded by the vibrant colors!

I’ve got my eye on another Drosanthemum from Annie’s, Drosanthemum speciosum. I’ll pick one up at this year’s Spring Party on April 13.