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 peersii

Delosperma peersii is a small, mat-forming species from rocky terrain in southern Africa, where it clings to slopes and ledges with very shallow soils. It produces low cushions of succulent leaves, often forming neat hummocks in and around stones.

In flower, D. peersii carries classic Delosperma daisies, typically in warm pink or magenta tones. These blooms are held just clear of the foliage and appear mainly from spring into summer, closing in dull weather. The combination of compact growth and bright colour makes it a natural candidate for rock gardens and troughs.

For South African buyers, this is a “little gem” species that works best where it can be appreciated up close. Use it in shallow pans, the front of rock borders or tucking into mortar gaps in old walls. As always, provide full sun, sharp drainage and sparing watering, especially in winter, and you’ll have a resilient, waterwise carpet of succulent foliage and cheerful flowers.