Lewisia x hybrida 'Little Plum' - Bitterroot

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 4-7, 6-12" x 6-12", morning sun to high, light shade, the bloom is a combination of pink and salmon w. lighter edges in mid to late spring over adorable rosettes of slightly succulent leaves, wants a cool condition, lean soil, well-drained and gravelly, drought tolerant. No winter wet!

Common names: Bitterroot, Long-petaled Lewisia, Truckee Lewisia

Family: Montiaceae (previously of the Portulaceae)

Origin/Distribution: The species, Lewisia longipetala occurs in mountainous western North America, in particular, the Sierra Nevada. 

Habitat: Alpine, subalpine, moist to dry rocky habitat, north facing slopes, can tolerate some snow cover, but our freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw winters are challenging. Site is in a cooler spot, with excellent drainage, so it stays on the cold and frozen side over the winter. 

More: Excellent rock, crevice, scree, or gravel garden candidate. Also good in a container if you can't provided adequate in ground drainage. However, planting it on a little mound of gravel should do the trick (I will keep you posted).

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credit: Jelitto Staudensamen GmbH