If you love vygies and waterwise gardening, Delosperma is one of those genera that quickly becomes addictive. These are mostly low, mat-forming succulents in the Aizoaceae, famous for their shimmering “ice” cells on the leaves and stems that catch the light like tiny crystals – a clever way of reflecting harsh African sun while storing precious moisture.

The genus is centred in southern Africa, with the bulk of species in South Africa and Lesotho, but stretching north into eastern Africa as far as Ethiopia and even into the Arabian Peninsula. Many are local endemics tied to specific rock types or mountain systems – from arid Karoo flats and grassland dolerite outcrops to subalpine Drakensberg cliffs. Seed capsules are typically hygrochastic: they open when wet, using little “valves” and wings to present or flick out the seed in rain – exactly the kind of detail that makes them fascinating subjects for a seed-focused collector.

In the garden, Delosperma species are valued for their carpets of daisy-like flowers in intense shades of magenta, pink, purple, yellow and orange, often over a very long season. Given full sun and sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soils, many species are remarkably drought tolerant and need little more than occasional watering once established. They are ideal for rockeries, retaining walls, containers, green roofs and banks where a tough, colourful, pollinator-friendly groundcover is needed.

For a succulent enthusiast in South Africa, Delosperma offers a huge palette of local biodiversity – from tiny, niche endemics to showy garden workhorses – all fitting neatly into the broader push toward waterwise, climate-resilient gardening.

Delosperma fredericii

Delosperma fredericii is a lesser-known member of the genus recorded from southern Africa and listed in SANBI’s Red List as a distinct taxon within the Aizoaceae. It is understood to form low, mat-forming clumps typical of the group, specialising in rocky, shallow-soil niches where drainage is excellent and competition is limited.

Flowers follow the familiar ice-plant pattern – many narrow petals around a central disc – in bright, attractive colours that stand out against the neat succulent foliage. Flowering is concentrated in the warm, bright months and responds well to occasional deep watering.

In cultivation, D. fredericii should be promoted to collectors and mesemb enthusiasts as a more unusual species that still behaves like a tough groundcover. Full sun, gritty soil and modest watering are the key requirements. From seed, use your standard Delosperma regime: surface-sow on a sandy mix, provide bright light and gentle moisture, then gradually move seedlings into hotter, drier positions as they mature.