Lewisia

Lewisia

A genus of perennials that are part of the larger Portulaca family.
They require full sun, excellent drainage and a gravel mulch. Do not fertilize. They are best planted on mounds or sandy/gravelly soil to avoid rot during the winter. In wetter parts of the eastern U.S.; pure sand may be the only option.

* photos taken on Apr 10 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 21 2022 in Columbia, MD

Lewisia 'Constant Comment'
A succulent perennial forming compact rosettes with short clusters of large rosy-pink flowers, reblooming heavily up to 6 times per year.

* photo taken on Apr 16 2013 in Burtonsville, MD

Lewisia cotyledon ( Siskiyou Lewisia )
A perennial, forming a foliage clump reaching a maximum size of 12 x 16 inches, that is native to high mountains from southern Oregon into northern California.
The evergreen leaves, up to 5.5 inches in length, form a flat rosette. The foliage is deep green.
The very showy, white or pink flowers are borne from late spring into early summer. Wild plants usually have blooms that are deep pink with the petals edged in white. It sometimes blooms as many as 4 times during the growing season if climate and soil conditions are ideal.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on very well drained soil with a gravel mulched. It is often planted in stone walls. Surprisingly tolerant of heat and humidity in the east.

* photo taken on Oct 31 2013 in Columbia, MD

'Alba'
Pure white flowers, otherwise identical.

'Fransi'
Orange flowers and fringed leaves, otherwise identical.

'Rainbow'
Forms a clump, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 1 foot, with semi-double flowers that can come in many colors including white, pink, orange, red or yellow.
Hardy north to zone 3 if protected by snow during winter.

* photo taken on Apr 20 2018 in Elkridge, MD

'Skagit's Select'
Reaches up to 8 x 13 inches.
The foliage is deep green.
Hardy zones 4 +

'Sunset Strain'
A seedling strain, reaching a maximum size of 12 x 16 inches, with flowers that can come in yellow, orange or pink.

Lewisia 'Little Plum'
The hybrid between Lewisia cotyledon & L. longipetala, forming a long-lived, compact clump, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 12 inches.
The fleshy foliage is green.
The very abundant, large, purplish-pink flowers, up to 1 inch wide, are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 ( to 3 on protected sites ) in full sun to partial shade.

* photo of unknown internet source


Lewisia pygmaea
A deciduous, small tufted perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 7 inches, that is native from far southeast Yukon to Kamloops, British Columbia to Banff National Park, Alberta; south to California to New Mexico.
The fleshy, deciduous leaves are green.
The abundant, small, pink flowers appear atop short stalks during most of the summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( tolerates as low as -50 F ) in full sun to partial shade.

* photo of unknown internet source


Lewisia rupicola
Also called Lewisia columbiana var rupicola.
A native to Oregon's coastal mountains.
The rosy-pink flowers appear atop stems up to 10 inches high, during early summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( tolerating -30 F ).

Lewisia tweedyi ( Tweedy's Pussypaws )
Also called Cistanthe tweedyi. A small tufted perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 18 inches, that is native to the Walathian Mountains of British Columbia and Washington States Wenatchee Mountains..
The fleshy, deciduous leaves, up to 5 inches in length, are green.
The creamy-white ( rarely red or pink ) flowers, up to 3 inches wide, appear during early spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 ( tolerating -40 F ) in full sun to partial shade. It is an alpine species that can thrive if given a very well drained soil but sites with reflected heat such as south facing walls should be avoided.