Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Delosperma – early flowers, take 2

As mentioned in the previous post my Delosperma plants are currently flowering. The latest addition to the flower feast is Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, 2900m, Lesotho) boasting buttery yellow flowers.

Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, Lesotho), close-up
Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, Lesotho), close-up

The plant is forming a compact mat and has – like my other Delosperma plants – grown considerably in the year I’ve had it.

Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, Lesotho)
Delosperma nubigenum (Sani Pass, Lesotho)

Last week the Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho) plant was completely hidden by flowers; most of these have withered and the plant is now visible again.

Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho)
Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho)

Since last week the Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg) plant has unfolded all its flower buds and now forms a carpet of purple flowers.

Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg)
Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg)

Now I’m just waiting for my Delosperma 'John Proffit' to flower.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Delosperma – early flowers

As mentioned in a previous post I’m a Delosperma novice and consequently hadn’t expected the plants to be flowering this early, but two of the species I’m growing flowered abundantly this weekend (I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or a pattern but my other two species flowered very late last autumn).

Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho), close-up
Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho), close-up

The Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho) plant is completely hidden by flowers – I’m curious if it can keep up this pace during summer, or if it will be all spent in a couple of weeks.

Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho)
Delosperma sp. (Sani Pass, Lesotho)

The Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg) is currently flowering along the edges of the plant but flower buds abound everywhere on the plant, so maybe it’s just a matter of time before this one will be completely covered in flowers as well.

Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg)
Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg)

Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg), close-up
Delosperma sp. (Drakensberg), close-up