Small-leaved Ruschia

Ruschia pulchella is a charming, shrubby succulent that offers a different habit compared to the more common rosette-forming types. It forms a low, dense mound of many-branched stems, covered in tiny, three-sided, blue-green fleshy leaves. This South African native is surprisingly resilient in the UK, provided it is kept in a very well-drained spot; it is generally rated H3, meaning it can survive outdoors in milder coastal regions or in sheltered urban microclimates if protected from the worst winter wet. In spring and early summer, it is transformed by a profusion of bright magenta, daisy-like flowers that almost completely cover the foliage. These flowers open in the sun and close in the evening. It is an excellent choice for a sun-baked rockery, a trough, or a Mediterranean-style container. Pruning after flowering can help maintain a neat, compact shape. It is a brilliant plant for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant garden scheme.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Sharply drained, gravelly soil.

Hardiness: H3 — down to −5°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.