Orange Sunray

Lampranthus aurantiacus is a prostrate, shrubby succulent that provides a dazzling carpet of colour in summer. It features thin, fleshy, grey-green leaves and produces a mass of brilliant, neon-orange daisy-like flowers that fully open only in bright sunlight. It is a standout plant for coastal gardens in the UK, such as those in Cornwall or the Isle of Wight, where it can often survive outdoors year-round in a sheltered spot (H2/H3). In colder inland areas, it is best grown as a seasonal bedding plant or kept in pots that can be moved into a frost-free greenhouse for the winter. It requires very little water and thrives in poor, sandy soil. Salt-tolerant and drought-resistant, it is a perfect choice for sunny balconies or gravel gardens. To keep the plant tidy and encourage future blooms, it can be lightly pruned after the flowering season has finished. Its intense colour is almost unparalleled among hardy-leaning succulents.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Poor, sandy, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: MayInternal, Jun, Jul.