Spoon-leaved crassula (Crassula spathulata) Wouter and Neville

This evergreen succulent groundcover is extremely hardy, fast-growing and easy to cultivate. With its lime-green spoon-shaped leaves and dainty pink and white blooms, it makes a beautiful display in the shade. It flowers in spring and summer with many tiny pollinators regularly visiting the blooms. This crassula looks great planted en masse under trees, along the edge of a bed or in pots and hanging baskets where it can tumble over the edge.

Crassula spathulata is also useful for planting on slopes to stabilise the soil. It does well in almost any type of soil, as long as the drainage is good. Although it is a succulent and needs little water, it will also thrive in a garden with normal irrigation. It grows easily from cuttings and seeds. Plant guide • Semi-shade to shade • Indigenous • Waterwise • Light frost • Height 10cm

Groundcovers are the hard-working, often unappreciated plants in your garden that retain moisture in the soil and keep the surface green. – Neville