Lewisia cotyledon 'MOUNTAIN DREAMS'

LewisiaMountain Dreams is a variety forming thick rosettes of symmetrically layered evergreen leaves which resemble large-leaved houseleeks. From beneath the leaves rise short but sturdy stems with sprays of numerous flowers. They are about 2 cm across, and of rich shades of striking colours like carmine red, purple pink, magenta, orange, and even combinations of multi-coloured stripes including white. Flowering is profuse and begins in late April, if the spring is nice and warm, and continues throughout the summer until the first cold days of autumn.

Lewisia needs gritty, free-draining soil. The best place is on top of a rock garden, or in the crevices of a retaining wall. Its thick, fleshy root grows at least 10 cm deep where it searches for nutrients. So make sure that the lower level (5cm downward) is a mixture of good compost and sharp sand, while the top layer will be only sand or sharp gravel to keep the root neck from rotting. You can provide a little bit of slow-release fertilizer in the spring. If the plant you just purchased is grown in peat substrate get rid of it gently in a bucket of water. Hardy to about -25°C (USDA zone 6), perhaps a couple of degrees lower.

Last update 17-05-2016