Recently, in the summer of floral innovations in stony gardens, beautiful carpets of delosperms from the family Aizoaceae are laid out. Although it can be called innovations with a stretch: they won over amateur gardeners with their bright beauty in 2003-2004.
The name of the genus delosperma in Greek means delos-explicit, sperma-seed, that is, literally translated, explicit seed. Several forms of branching perennial grasses or low semi-shrubs that require a high temperature, and therefore are often grown in a cultivated room. The opportunity to use some types of delosperm as annuals made a splash!
Among these sultry beauties, the following types and varieties are most common:
Delosperma floribundum, a native of South Africa. An annual plant 10 cm (3.9 inches) tall, grows to 25 cm (9.8 inches). The leaves are fleshy, 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) long. Flowers are single, pink, up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter; blooms in June.
Decorative variety ‘Starburst’ with lilac-purple flowers with a white eye.
Propagated by seeds, which are sown on seedlings in March-April in room conditions (surface sowing). Crops are covered with a plastic bag to preserve humidity.
Delosperma cooperi-creeping low-growing shrub 5 cm (2 inches) tall, grows to 60 cm (2 feet) or more. He’s also from South Africa. The leaves are cylindrical, soft, fleshy, juicy, gray-green, paired, up to 5 cm (2 inches) long, densely covered with growths. The flowers are solitary, silky, purple, 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter; they bloom from mid-summer to late summer.
This species can withstand temperatures up to -5°C (23°F). Requires well-drained soil and regular watering in hot, dry summers. The plant is responsive to fertilizing. Propagated by seeds, cuttings.
Delosperms are good in rockeries, where they form beautiful, attention-grabbing carpets. They can be grown in pots and used in the design of an outdoor terrace. Indoor plants in winter are kept at a temperature of +5 – +10°C (41-50°F).
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