Delosperma cooperi

Delosperma cooperi, also known as Cooper's Ice Plant, is a charming creeping perennial that carpets walls, rockeries, and borders, thanks to its succulent and evergreen foliage. Its numerous small mauve flowers bloom from June until early autumn. It thrives in well-drained soil and sunlight and can tolerate drought. It can withstand frost down to -8°C (17.6°F). If necessary, it can be brought indoors during winter by hanging it.

This Delosperma is named after the 19th-century English botanist, Thomas Cooper. His expeditions in South Africa to collect numerous specimens allowed him to specialize in the flora of these regions. Delosperma cooperi, originating from these regions, is therefore a perennial that is well-suited to hot and dry climates. It can grow between stones, paving slabs, or on a dry slope, as long as it finds some substrate. However, if your region experiences frost close to -10°C (14°F), place it in a pot or container that can be brought indoors during winter.

This Ice Plant has creeping and branched stems that easily root, colonizing an area up to 50cm (20in) wide under favourable conditions. It bears succulent light green leaves with white reflections, hence its nickname "Ice Plant." These leaves are sessile, fleshy, warty, and measure about 3cm (1in). It forms a small low tuft that is covered with small flowers in clusters, with bright purple petals and a white centre. Its flowering period extends over a long time, bringing vibrant colours to neglected areas. If you want to enhance its flowering, you can remove faded flowers.

Delosperma cooperi is an ideal rockery plant. It thrives in the company of Sedums, Dianthus, and Wall Campanulas. However, it will also be perfect at the base of Stachys and Valerians, with which it shares the same requirements: sunlight and dry soil.