Delosperma congestum Yellow 11cm

Delosperma congestum (Yellow Ice Plant)

A low, mat-forming succulent that hugs the ground, spreading via creeping stems set with small, fleshy, semi-cylindrical leaves that often flush red as temperatures drop in winter. Through summer it's smothered in bright, daisy-like yellow flowers that open wide in the sun, drawing in bees and other pollinators. Its dense, ground-hugging habit makes it a useful choice for scree beds, gravel gardens, troughs, or cascading over the edge of a raised bed or wall.

Reaching only around 5–10cm in height but spreading up to 50cm, it needs full sun and sharply drained soil to perform well — poor, gritty or sandy conditions suit it far better than anything rich or heavy, so add plenty of grit before planting if your soil holds moisture. A warm, sheltered spot brings out the best flowering. It's reliably hardy through most of the UK given good drainage, and once established it's highly drought-tolerant and needs very little attention; the main risk is sitting wet over winter, which can cause rot, so err on the side of a lean, free-draining spot.

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