Delosperma cooperi Table Mountain

Delosperma cooperi 'Table Mountain'  is named after the famous Table Mountain range, which proudly overlooks the Cape Province in South Africa, the homeland of its ancestor, Cooper's delosperma. This variety was selected in the USA for its vigour, increased resistance to weed competition, robustness, and its vibrant pink flowers that bloom throughout the summer. This creeping perennial densely covers walls, rockeries, and borders with succulent foliage that turns violet in winter. Like all delospermas, this variety thrives in sunny, poor soil and can tolerate drought. If necessary, it can be brought indoors during the winter.

Cooper's delosperma belongs to the Aizoaceae family. It is named in tribute to the 19th-century English botanist, Thomas Cooper. His expeditions to collect numerous specimens in South Africa allowed him to specialize in the flora of these regions, which are governed by a Mediterranean climate, particularly in the Cape region. Delosperma cooperi is a perennial that thrives in poor, well-draining soil and full sun. If your region experiences temperatures close to -10°C (14°F), place it in a pot or container that can be brought indoors during the winter.

The 'Table Mountain' cultivar (also known as 'John Proffitt') develops sprawling, highly branched stems that readily root, covering an area up to 60cm (24in) wide under favourable conditions. They bear numerous small, succulent leaves that range from grey-green to green and turn violet in cold weather. These leaves are sessile, meaning they have no petiole and are directly attached to the stems. They are fleshy, warty, and approximately 3cm (1in) long. The plant forms a low-growing mat (8cm (3in)) that is covered in flowers from June to August-September. The flowers are grouped in cymes, measuring 2.5 to 3cm (1in) wide, and gradually transition from magenta pink to fuchsia pink around a white centre. Its long flowering period brings vibrant colours to the most neglected areas of the garden. The flowers only open in the sun.

Delosperma cooperi 'Table Mountain' is an excellent rockery plant, but this more vigorous selection will cover the ground more effectively than other unusual varieties and keep unwanted competitors in check. It thrives in slightly arid and challenging areas of the garden, such as dry and rocky slopes, dry stone walls, and sunny rockeries. Sedums, dwarf carnations, wall bellflowers, and creeping baby's breath make good companions for this exotic-looking mat, as do Valerian (Centranthus), which share the same needs: sun and dry soil.