This famous clump-forming groundcover/ perennial is a hardy and water wise species for the summer and autumn garden. Plants love dry, sunny spots and well-drained soils, closing up their cheery faces under cloudy skies. Where to plant: rockeries, as edging plants in sunny beds, as a groundcover around tall aloes like A. ferox and A. marlothii; between pavers and in gravel gardens. There is an extensive range of colours now available, from plain to patterned, from white to dark red. These stand above the dark green or grey, strappy leaves. Plants may rot in humid summer rainfall gardens with insufficient air movement and in continually damp soils. Divide older clumps every 3 – 4 years; discard older stems and retain only the young, vigorous stems. Plants do seed themselves fairly readily. Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape