Coastal Pigface – Carpobrotus glaucescens
If you are looking for a groundcover plant for coastal conditions then Carpobrotus glaucescens could be the one. This is a prostrate rambling plant with good green foliage and masses of pink flowers . Excellent in sandy coastal soils, and equally at home in any well drained soil in a sunny position.
Also a good plant for helping to stabilise sandy soils ans help control erosion. It sends out long runners that quickly put down roots even in tough conditions. Widely to combat soil erosion in coastal areas. According to survival experts the fruits are edible and tasty however we can’t verify this as the birds always seem to get them first.
A long flowering, creeping succulent ground cover plant native to the coastal areas of temperate Eastern Australia ( it is sometimes called ‘Coastal Pigface’) Carpobrotus glaucescens will flower throughout the year in warmer areas however its pink daisy like flowers are most abundant during late spring through summer.
The tough and drought tolerant Carpobrotus glaucescens is an Australian species commonly known as ‘Pigface’ and aso Karkalla.
Care
Large bright pink flowers in summer, and easy care in a warm sunny position with a well drained soil. They grow naturally in poor sandy soils so no fertilizer in generally needed.
- A well drained soil is essential.
- Plants will require water through the first summer.
- Mulch with an open type mulch.
- Prune back to form a more compact clump.
Propagation
These plants will naturally layer themselves so division is easy, they can also be grown from cuttings. Seed can be sown if desired, surface sow on a sandy medium and watered with a mist spray. Keep well drained.
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