Delosperma x cooperi Royal Ranger Neon

The Delosperma Royal Ranger 'Neon' is a new hybrid delosperma with early and abundant flowering. With a well-rounded cushion-like habit, its flowers are slightly smaller than other varieties, but they have a very long flowering period. 'Neon' develops bright pink flowers, contrasted by a small white centre, around a yellow heart. This perennial forms beautiful carpets of small succulent leaves, and blooms from May to October, even in dry and poor soil.

The Delosperma belongs to the family of aizoaceae. Cousins of mesembryanthemum, they are perennials native to South Africa, East Africa, and Madagascar, which are perfectly suited to hot and dry climates. They settle between stones, paving slabs, or on a dry slope, as long as they find some soily substrate. The Royal Ranger series is derived from Delosperma congestum, hardy to around -12°C (10.4°F) in well-drained soil. If your region is subject to these or lower freezing temperatures, place it in a pot or container that you can bring indoors during winter.

The Royal Ranger 'Neon' Purslane comes from a series of hybrid plants offering both early and long-lasting flowers, in bright colours. It has trailing, branching stems that root easily, colonising the space up to a width of 1 m (3ft) under good conditions. They bear small, light green, cylindrical succulent leaves. These leaves are sessile, very fleshy, warty, and measure about 3 cm (1in). It forms a small tiller 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) high which is covered with flowers grouped in cymes. Each flower has a corolla of fine ligules coloured bright pink, painted with a small white halo surrounding a yellow eye, the flower being centred on a small white and yellow heart. The flowering period extends over a long season, bringing vibrant colours to neglected areas.

The Delosperma Royal Ranger 'Neon' thrives in a very sunny exposure, above walls, in rock gardens, or in pots, on the terrace or balcony. Its trailing habit cascades beautifully from a hanging basket that you can bring indoors during winter, if necessary. It is an excellent rock garden plant. It enjoys the company of Sedums, Dianthus, Osteospermum, and wall campanulas. Plant it as a evergreen ground cover with plants that have the same needs, such as Stachys or Valerian. Containers composed of different varieties from the Royal Ranger series allow you to create a dense, colourful foliage carpet for many months, with minimal maintenance.