Delosperma ?

They like dry. Don't like wet at all. But need full sun to flower properly.

 

And depending on which ones they are, they are only hardy if utterly bone dry in winter.

 

Delosperma cooper I are the most reliable but unless sited in a dry area will become deciduous in winter. There are some more colourful varieties but these are more tender. In our climate there not much difference in hardiness between Delosperma and Lampranthus, though you're more likely to lose the later to frost

 

I'm not sure whether I've got Lampranthus or Delosperma. Whilst it is in a very dry spot in summer, it's survived numerous hard winters with temperatures down to -10c, been buried under piles of snow for weeks and has spread like wildfire! I've taken cuttings by just sticking bits into the ground. I love it - the flowers are constant all through the summer, and it looks great tumbling over a rockery.

 

Delosperma's normally flatter and Lampranthus grows higher.

My Delosperma survived -14°. I got my Lampranthus after the two bad winters.

 

My delosperma still alive after -14 , not a super fast growing plant but has been flowering from the last 2 years .

 

Lampranthus on the left. Delosperma on the right. Sorry about the bad pic.

 

Hmmm, I think mine's Delosperma then.

 

I do that

Even though you have more experience than me, if it's a cheapy, I give it a go on the basis that: if it lives *yay!*; if it dies, it hasn't broken the bank and I've learned something which is priceless - experience!

Good luck with them, FC. Hope they are giving you a little ray of sunshine during your down spell. (How's your virus doing?)

 

Before you hit the brandy ... (hot toddy material that ) ...

... to ease the "sticky-back-of-nose/throat" stage ...

... pop a spoonful of Vick Vapour Rub (other products are available) into some hot, but not scolding, water; drape a towel over your head, lean down, inhale S.L.O.W.L.Y (or, you'll blow your socks off!). The aim is to loosen the mucus/cattarh which causes the "sticky" sensation

Oh, and ask Mrs FC to rub some Vick's on your chest and back as an added measure of effectiveness.

Brandy: do not drink it neat (unless you want acid stomach learned that many moons ago when I did bar work); by all means make it medicinal by adding a spoon of honey, a squeeze of lemon and some hot water (but that tastes vile but will make you "sweat" out your virus ). Dilute it with something! A cola style mixer is popular; in the old days "peppermint" was a mixer (but that's rank too!) or, you could go the "Angel's Wings" route and dilute it with BabyCham (other, similar, products are available) - my mother gave me that and told me it would bring on labour ... it did; but I doubt that would work for you! Unless ... there's something you haven't told us?
Other's prefer it with lemonade (yuk!).

If all else fails: it makes a delicious "liquer coffee" (sprinkle of sugar in a strong black coffee, measure of brandy, then stir rigourously before pouring on a dollop of thick cream: scrummy!)

 

I thought this was a Derlosperma?