DELOSPERMA cooperi

Rustic succulent plant, perennial and evergreen, with rapid growth ground covering and partially hanging habit, native to southern Africa: in full development, it grow up to approximately 10 cm tall, but it can expand much larger. It is formed by numerous thin stems which, crawling on the ground in every direction, at each node emitting roots, divide and have small fleshy, opposite, linear and cylindrical gray-green leaves: the general appearance created by the mass of the foliage is that of a dense and low carpet, almost grazing the ground. From late spring to autumn, it is generously dressed in daisy-like flowers, with abundant, thin, carmine-pink petals and a whitish heart.

It prefers very bright and sunny positions, but it also adapts to situations of partial shade in which the leaves appear more luxuriant, but the flowering can be more scarce. It requires poor, dry, sandy or stony soils, as long as they are permeable. It tolerates periods of even prolonged drought, as well as the salinity of sea winds in coastal locations. It bears minimum winter temperatures a few degrees below zero especially if not associated with conditions of high environmental humidity; in regions with intense and prolonged cold and high humidity it is recommended to plant them in a sheltered position, or even better to stay in a cool and bright environment in winter. It does not require particular interventions: in spring, at the vegetative restart, dry, damaged or bulky parts can be eliminated and perhaps with the occasion slightly sprout all the branches to allow a more regular, rounded and compact growth and increase the subsequent flowering. It can be grown successfully and with great decorative effect on terraces and balconies using containers and pots even of modest size; in the open ground it can embellish our rock garden or cover slopes and sunny slopes, but also accompany, by dressing the foot, larger cacti and succulents.