Lewisia
( lew - ISS - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThese perennial flowering plants need full sun to light shade and regular to moderate water. Well-formed, handsome flowers cover these low-growing plants. Their root systems have developed to be drought-tolerant and appreciate a covering of gravel around their crowns. These succulent perennials are used in container plantings, rock gardens, in mixed beds, and in borders.
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Lewisia Species and Varietals
The genus Lewisia is a member of the plant family Montiaceae and includes 19 species and several varietals. The genus is named for American explorer Meriwether Lewis, who first encountered the species back in 1806. The best growing zones for Lewisia are 1-7 and 14-17, though this will vary somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Lewisia brachycalyx (Short-Sepal Bitter-Root, Shortsepal Lewisia) This species, native to the southwestern United States and Baja California, Mexico. It prefers to grow in moist habitats, like meadows, and produces a basal rosette of thick, fleshy foliage. Flower stems are short, and support inflorescences of shiny white to pink flowers. Hardy down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants go dormant after flowering in summertime, and are popular garden ornamentals. |
Lewisia cotyledon (Cliff Maids, Siskiyou Lewisia) Native to Northern California and southern Oregon, this species grows to a foot tall and 10 inches wide. Leaves are fleshy and green, and stems hold showy clusters of flowers in pink or white that are often striped with rose or red. Flowers appear from spring through early summertime. Outer growth can be pruned to encourage a more tidy habit. Varieties in a range of colors are available. |
Lewisia disepala (Yosemite Lewisia) These petite perennial flowering plants produce a basal rosette of many small fleshy leaves. Flowering stems are so short that the flowers sit directly on top of the mound of foliage. Each flower has 5-8 pale to bright pink petals and protruding stamens, and blooms in summertime. |
Lewisia leeana (Quill-Leaf Lewisia, Many-Flowered Lewisia) This species is native to California and Oregon, and grows in mountain ranges. These perennials form narrow, woody taproots, and a basal rosette of fleshy leaves support stems of white, pink, or purplish flowers. The species is named for Lambert Wilmer Lee, who first collected the species south of the Oregon border with California in 1876. |
Lewisia longipetala (Petalled Lewisia, Truckee Lewisia) This species is endemic to the Sierra Nevadas in California, where it grows around Lake Tahoe. These flowers prefer alpine wet habitats, and thrives in snow. These perennials form a slender taproot and a basal rosette of thin, fleshy leaves. There are many hybrids of this plant that are perfect for garden settings. Flowers range in color from white to light pink to magenta and purple. |
Lewisia nevadensis (Nevada Lewisia) This species is native to most of the western United States and grows in moist mountainous habitats. These perennials produce fingerlike to thready foliage; leaves can reach up to 5 inches long. Flowers are white to pale pink, and have many stamens. These plants are sometimes grown as ornamentals in alpine and rock gardens. |
Lewisia rediviva (Bitterroot) This species is native to the Western Mountain Ranges of the United States and reaches 2 inches tall and 4 inches wide. It is the state flower of Montana, and has fleshy roots and strappy leaves that will die back for the most part before flowers bloom. Blooms in springtime, with one flower per stem in rosy pink or white. Drainage needs to be excellent for this species to thrive. |
Lewisia tweedyi This species grows well in zones A2, A3, 1-7 and 14-17 and is native to Washington's mountain ranges. It reaches 8 inches tall and a foot wide, and has large salmon-pink flowers that bloom 1-3 per stem. Leaves are evergreen and fleshy. These plants suffer in wet conditions, and cannot take much moisture. |
Caring for Lewisia
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 409 - 410, Lewisia
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