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 pondoense – Mtamvuna River Sheepfig

As its name suggests, Delosperma pondoense is associated with the Pondoland region along the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coast, where it grows on rocky outcrops and cliffs in a coastal or near-coastal climate. It faces strong sun, wind and seasonal rainfall, and is naturally adapted to drained, often sandy or stony soils.

Plants form low mats or small cushions of succulent leaves, making a tight ground-hugging cover. In spring and early summer, they are adorned with cheerful daisies in white, pink or purple shades that stand just above the foliage. In coastal light, the flowers can be particularly luminous.

For South African gardeners, especially those near the coast or in summer rainfall regions, D. pondoense offers a truly local Pondoland flavour. It thrives in full sun, windy positions and sandy or gritty soil. Use it on banks, in rockeries and in containers where its toughness and bright flowers can be appreciated.