Delosperma cooperi 

Delosperma, also known as “Ice Plant” or “Hardy Purslane”, is an exceptionally drought-resistant ground cover that produces magnificient vermillion flowers throughout the summer.

With its evergreen succulent foliage, it forms a dense, flower-filled carpet throughout summer.

Its bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and purple attract pollinators and bring vibrant color to any landscape. Here we have the vermillion variety!

She has “bladder-like hairs on the leaf surface that reflect and refract light in a manner to make it appear that they sparkle like ice crystals” (as described by the New Mexico State University).

Do look up close – it’s really stunning!

Perfect for dry, water-wise gardens, this low-maintenance plant thrives in well-drained, poor soils, making it ideal for rock gardens, slopes, and borders.

The Tale:

In South Africa, the leaves are used to make a local alcohol called khadi.

The leaves also contain important quantities of DMT – but must be extracted within laboratory conditions so don’t try it at home.