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I have no idea what this plant is - can anyone identify it please?

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  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    They need full sun and the sharpest of drainage, as Lampranthus are not hardy and do best in mild coastal gardens in UK. Anything else will not do.  They look best cascading over a wall.  I think that's what you have, although Delosperma is the same species, it tends to grow flat to the ground..
    ...this is Delosperma cooperi.. these days you can get them in a mixed range of colours..

    East Anglia, England
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    edited March 2022
    Thank you for the excellent advice, AnniD, GardenerSuze, Borderline and Marlorena!

    OK I think I need to take it out of that pot then, because it's a pot specifically designed for the alcove and there is really very little light in there.  I think I'll have to get an ivy to go in that pot, as at least it could withstand shade.

    Then my succulent plant, I'm going to plant it out, if that would work.  I could put it in a very sunny flowerbed and it would get sun all day. If I do that, should I just dig a hole and plant it in the bed, or do I need to prepare the hole in any way or add grit or anything? No feeding then.

    Or I might just put it in a nice big pot on the patio, that could be even better. I must get some grit though. Do I just mix a handful of grit into my compost?

    Marlorena those are lovely flowers. I hope I get some flowers.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    Yes, as much grit as you can.  Mine was in very stony soil.   I should add, Delosperma is hardier than Lampranthus and will survive cold, but not winter wet, it's this that kills them off.  It is sometimes recommended to put a sheet of glass or some other covering over them during cold and wet.
    .. If it's Lampranthus, and it's not easy to tell - something to do with minor differences in foliage I think, then it's unlikely to survive winters unless you're in a mild location.   I see Delosperma comes in a range of colours these days too..  so I think you'll have to wait until it flowers to be more precise...?.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Sounds good. I'd love for it to flower. Hopefully with lots of sun it will do.

    I think I'm going to put it in a pot and let it get the maximum sunlight. I'll have to buy some grit the next time I'm at the garden centre. As it's in a pot then maybe I could bring it indoors if needed come winter.

    Thanks for all the great advice.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Pink678, just to say that you need to get Horticultural grit which most GC's sell in either very small bags or larger ones. Although the smaller bags are more expensive, they are easier to carry if you don't need much. My GC keeps them in different places which is annoying so you may have to hunt around. Good luck with your plant, whatever it turns out to be.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Thank you Lizzie, I did not know that and it is very useful info! I will search out the Horticultural grit.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Pink678 Sorry, yes ordinary grit can have salt in it not good for plants.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Thank you! Ready to go grit shopping :)
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    These grow wild on the cliffs in Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton. Not native plants, so efforts are made to eradicate them. They are pretty tough and persistent.
  • Pink678Pink678 Posts: 498
    Interesting! Funny they are trying to eradicate them and here am I trying to grow one and giving it TLC! Good to know they are tough.
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