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 herbeum – Highveld White Vygie, Witberg Sheepfig

Delosperma herbeum, the Highveld White Vygie, is a widespread species of rocky grassland and open scrub, with many observations across its range. It forms low mats or subshrubs with succulent foliage and is the central species in the well-studied “herbeum complex” of Delosperma.

This vygie is best known for its masses of white, daisy-like flowers that appear in spring and early summer, often covering whole patches of rock and transforming them into shimmering white carpets. The bright flowers and tough, adaptable habit have made it a favourite in Highveld rockeries and waterwise gardens for decades.

For South African buyers, D. herbeum is a dependable, easy species for sunny, well-drained spots, especially in Highveld and Karoo-type climates. Use it on banks, rocky embankments and between paving stones, where it can handle trampling better than many succulents. From seed it germinates readily under warm, bright conditions, and once planted out it needs very little maintenance beyond occasional deep watering in prolonged dry spells.