If you are living in the Southern California area, you know the Red Apple Ice Plant well! It is the plant growing on almost every slope within HOA communities and along frontage slopes to shopping centers (shown below on left). AND... if you reside in Southern California you have also seen this normally vibrant green plant turn an awful sludgy brown color, wither and die in the last 6 months.

This has occurred due to a strain of Downy Mildew that has infected more than 80% of Red Apple on slopes especially attacking those on north or east facing sides (shown above on right). While some of the Red Apple is able to survive and with proper treatment others are able to bounce back the reality of the situation is if it has occurred once... it will occur again!

Due to this concern, we have spent some time doing research into alternatives for Red Apple and have decided to share our favorites with all of you!

Malephora: evergreen succulent, bright green foliage, pink or yellow flower, full sun, low/no additional water, spreading growth, self propagating, good for slopes
Dymondia: hardy, mat like, deep green, low water use, requires full sun/minimal shade, grows best in flat areas but can be susceptible to fungus.
Cotula: hardy, requires full sun, walkable, low/no additional water use, yellow blooms
Lampranthus: low growing succulent, dry or moist soil, low water use, colorful blooms, suitable for all well drained soil types, good on slopes
Woolly Thyme: hardy, fragrant, purple blooms, walkable, low water use, creeping growth, requires full sun and hot conditions for best growth, best in flat areas but if not properly cared for can get woody and die back

Any of these recommendations can be purchased at your local nursery. Some of our favorites are:
Evergreen Nursery: http://www.evergreennursery.com/Evergreen

DM Color Express: http://dmcolorexpress.net/

Village Nursery (wholesale only): https://www.villagenurseries.com/

Until Next Time!

Cheers

*Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is for general informational purposes only. We are only making educated recommendations of our favorite alternatives. Without proper investigation into your conditions (soil type, moisture levels, pitch of slope, etc) your specific needs can not be determined and this blog should only be used as a guideline for starting your research to the best plant/groundcover for your situation. For additional help, contact your nearest landscape professional or contact us at (858)442-4198 or sales@viridianlandscape.com