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 pageanum – Robertson Karoo Sheepfig

Delosperma pageanum is a small, rock-dwelling succulent named in honour of a plant collector, and it remains something of a connoisseur’s plant. In the wild it inhabits rocky slopes and ledges where soil is shallow and rainfall is sporadic, relying on its succulent leaves to carry it through dry spells.

The plants form low mats of short, fleshy leaves, often with a fresh green to glaucous tone. Flowers are daisy-like, in bright pink or purple shades, opening in sun and closing in dull weather. The main flowering flush is typically in spring and early summer, with occasional scattered blooms at other times.

In South African gardens D. pageanum is best treated as a special rock garden subject or collector’s plant rather than a mass groundcover. It looks superb tucked into crevices, shallow pans or stone troughs. As with most Delosperma, it enjoys full sun, gritty soil, and careful watering that allows the medium to dry out between soakings.