Delosperma deschampsii

Delosperma deschampsii is a small succulent plant highly appreciated by landscapers for its hardiness and its sun-like flowers, which are large compared to the vegetation. This creeping perennial, very low, densely carpets walls, rockeries and borders of flower beds with a very fresh green foliage, which is covered with sun-like flowers at the beginning and end of summer, then turns reddish bronze in winter. Like all Delosperma, this botanical species thrives in full sun in lean, well-drained soils, even very dry in summer. But unlike many others, it survives severe frosts.

Delosperma deschampsii belongs to the Aizoaceae family. Like all Delosperma, it is a South African perennial plant that grows in poor and well-drained soil, and in full sun. If your region is subject to frosts close to -15°C (5°F), place it in a pot or container that you will bring indoors during winter. This Delosperma, or perennial purslane, develops creeping, branched, prostrate stems. They bear a multitude of small succulent, flattened leaves, light and vibrant green, turning bronze to reddish under the effect of cold. They are sessile, which means they have no petiole and are inserted directly into the stems. Together, they form a very low (4cm (2in)) carpet that blooms abundantly in June-July, and again in September. Depending on the climate, a few flowers may bloom outside of these periods, between February and November. The flowers, grouped in cymes, display a bright yellow color around a more orange heart. A flowering that brings very vivid colours to the most deprived areas of the garden. The flowers only open in the sun.

Delosperma deschampsii is an ideal rockery plant, but it is also an excellent variety for flower pots. It will thrive in slightly arid areas of the garden, which can sometimes be difficult to arrange and very well-drained: a dry and rocky slope, a dry stone wall, among the stones of a sun-drenched rockery… Sedums, dwarf carnations, wall bellflowers and creeping baby's breath will be good companions for this exotic-looking carpet, as well as the Valerian (Centranthus), with which it shares the same needs: sun and dry soil, both in winter and summer.