Species to Choose
Chances are high, you’ll solely discover cliff maids on the market, which makes selecting which species to plant fairly simple.
However some specialty nurseries will carry different species.
You may additionally be capable of seize some offsets from wild crops, however make certain that you might be harvesting in an space the place it’s allowed, and be cautious solely to take just a few at a time.
Additionally, remember that wild crops not often survive effectively in cultivation.
Cliff Maids
Cliff maids (L. cotyledon) are evergreen, which implies you may have a year-round show in Zones 3 to 9.
Within the spring and early summer time, the crops are smothered in heaps of colourful blossoms. This species produces pink, white, or orange flowers.
There’s additionally a preferred group of cultivated varieties often called the Sundown Group.
Crops from the Sundown Group flower for even longer and the blossoms are extra vibrantly coloured in hues like white, yellow, apricot, tangerine, pink, fuchsia, violet, and purple.
Each the species and the Sundown Group have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Backyard Benefit in 1993.
For those who’re new to lewisia and also you need one thing simple to develop, that is undoubtedly the species to start out with.
Bitterroot
L. rediviva is the state flower of Montana and whereas it’s not often seen in cultivation, lately it’s gaining in recognition.
Whereas this species isn’t fairly as showy or adaptable as cliff maids, it’s a lovely plant in its personal proper. In spring it produces pink or white flowers earlier than going dormant in the summertime months.
For those who reside in its indigenous vary, take into account rising this one since wild crops are disappearing, inflicting stress for the animals that depend on it.
It’s appropriate for cultivation in Zones 3 to 9.
Columbian
I used to be mountain climbing in Oregon once I first noticed this candy little plant, recognized to botanists as L. columbiana.
It’s not as daring and vibrant as cliff maids, with its slim leaves and pink and white flowers held on lengthy pink stems.
For those who look intently, you’ll discover that the flowers are white with distinct pink strains operating down the petals. That is an evergreen species, so it received’t go dormant in the summertime.
There’s a pure selection (L. columbiana var. rupicola) that I lengthy to get my palms on. It has lavender blossoms and vibrant magenta stripes.
Kellogg’s
When Kellogg’s lewisia (L. kelloggii) is in bloom, it may be exhausting to inform if the plant even has leaves.
The clusters of white or pale pink blossoms seem on quick stems that smother the rosette of spoon-shaped leaves beneath.
The leaves die again for the summer time after the blossoms fade, however they’ll return within the fall for an additional spherical of development.
Quick-Sepal Bitterroot
Quick-sepal bitterroot (L. brachycalyx) is a deciduous sort that goes dormant in the summertime.
It has pink or white flowers with slim succulent leaves. It’s resilient and dependable, which is a part of the explanation that this plant was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Backyard Benefit in 1993.
It grows indigenously all through southwestern North America.
Propagation
There are two essential strategies for propagating lewisia, from seed and by dividing offsets.
Seeds might be exhausting to come back by, however some specialty nurseries might carry them. You’ll usually discover potted begins reasonably than seeds.
From Seed
Since lewisia grows natively in sub-alpine areas, they sometimes expertise chilly winters. The seed wants a interval of chilly stratification for them to interrupt dormancy and germinate.
When you could have your seeds, you’ll have to recreate this.
Fill a bag or sealable container with moist sand and add the seeds.
Place the container and seeds into the fridge. They should keep simply above freezing and beneath 40°F for about six weeks.
