Ficinia truncata Ice Crystal

If the Ficinia truncata 'Ice Crystal' is also called the Frosty Ficinia, it is because of the frosty appearance of its beautifully edged gramineous leaves in white on a dark green background. With its miniature grass-like look, this small evergreen perennial that grows in a slightly "disheveled" clump brings a touch of originality and light to a balcony, rockery, or border, all year round. Not very hardy, it is however easy to grow in the sun, in a well-drained, preferably limestone soil that remains moist even in summer.

The Ficinia truncata is a plant in the Cyperaceae family, just like its famous cousins the Carex. It is part of those perennial plants that are often referred to as grasses, due to their resemblance. It is a South African botanical species found along the rivers in the Cape region in particular. Only its lovely variegated form 'Ice Crystal' is currently available in cultivation. This small plant with short rhizomes is not invasive. It forms a very compact clump, pleasantly disorderly, reaching 10 cm (4in) in height and 30 cm (12in) in diameter. Its evergreen leaves are gramineous, ribbon-like, 10 cm (4in) long, with a truncate white-dotted tip. The dark green color that adorns them is also bordered by a very bright white margin. They are sheathed at the base, upright and slightly curved towards their tip. The flowering takes place in early summer, in June: from the foliage emerge slender, erect flower spikes, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) tall, bearing dense brown spikelets. The seeds can be dispersed by ants. The hardiness of this plant is around -10°C (14°F) for short periods and if the soil is dry.

The Ficinia truncata 'Ice Crystal' is a trendy and refined little plant, with a minimalist style, that will form a beautiful bouquet of frosted foliage overflowing from pots that can easily be protected from severe cold in winter. Its graphic design does not require the presence of another plant by its side, but on the other hand, it will bring a lot of lightness to the more lush foliage surrounding it. For a magical effect, plant it en masse, in a mild climate contemporary garden, for example not far from a water feature or in a not too dry rockery.