Dymondia

( di - MON - dee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

The genus Dymondia (plant family Asteraceae) contains one species, Dymondia margaretae, which forms a nice groundcover and is commonly called Silver Carpet. These plants are native to South Africa. Silver Carpet can grow in full sun or light shade, and needs moderate to regular water to perform and flower well in the landscape. Individual plants form a 2-3 inch tall tight mat of narrow evergreen leaves. Foliage is grey-green above, and leaves are curled up to reveal cottony white undersides. Flowers are yellow and bloom in summertime, partially hidden by foliage. These plants form deep roots, and can tolerate drought but will spread faster with regular water. Dymondia margaretae is great between pavers and stepping stones, and can take light foot traffic. This groundcover grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 15-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map.)

Caring for dymondia

These plants are available at many nurseries and are typically sold in flats or plugs. Plant Dymondia in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. In warmer zones, ensure that this groundcover gets some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Dymondia is considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year. Occasional deep waterings during the summertime are sufficient. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a dusting of compost. Rake it in and then water. Dymondia does not need to be pruned, even when grown as a lawn replacement or large-space groundcover. They do not require mowing. These plants are considered long-lived perennial groundcovers, with a typical lifespan of between 5 and 20 years if cared for properly. Dymondia spreads via underground rhizome roots, forming clumps and providing plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Propagation

Dymondia plants are best propagated via division. These plants will also re-seed freely in the landscape, providing seedlings that can be dug up and transplanted elsewhere. To propagate your Silver Carpet by division of existing plants, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Dymondia by Division
To propagate via division, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw (optional), extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. To propagate your Dymondia by division, follow the instructions below:

In early fall or early springtime, identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the bulbs. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, run water over it or simply shake it to remove excess dirt. Then, lay it out on its side.
Separate the clump into multiple pieces, each with a healthy root system and adequate above-ground growth.
Prepare the planting area, whether it is a container or bed in the garden, and then plant the divisions. Afterwards, resume regular care.