Lewisia cotyledon Elise Mix seeds - Siskiyou lewisia

Growing Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Mix' from seed allows you to grow this floriferous alpine perennial at low cost; it is prized for its thick rosettes and vibrant flowering in multiple shades. This lewisia mix is Ideal for rockeries, dry stone walls or containers, with captivating star-shaped flowers ranging from soft pink to bright orange, through white, salmon and yellow. It forms a compact clump, making it a perfect choice for small spaces or container cultivation. It thrives in sunny or partially shaded positions and well-drained soil, disliking winter waterlogging. To ensure its longevity, plant it in a sheltered spot, protected from excess water and cold draughts.

Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Mix' or Siskiyou Lewisia 'Elise Mix' is a mix of horticultural cultivars belonging to the Montiaceae family, formerly classified among the Portulacaceae. It is derived from the species Lewisia cotyledon, also known as Calandrinia cotyledon and Oreobroma cotyledon, native to the mountainous regions of the western United States, particularly southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows naturally in well-drained rocky areas. The cultivars in the 'Elise' series were developed by the Dutch company Floragran and received the Fleuroselect Gold Medal for their ability to flower in their first year without requiring vernalisation (a cold period). This mix is distinguished by its star-shaped flowers in varied colours – pink, salmon, orange, white, yellow – which bloom from late spring to autumn. The plant forms a compact rosette of fleshy, evergreen, dark green leaves, reaching a height of 15 to 25 cm and a similar spread. The slightly hairy flower stems bear inflorescences in compound corymbs made up of several flowers, each measuring up to 1.5 cm long. The root system consists of a taproot accompanied by clustered roots, giving the plant good drought resistance once established. The genus name Lewisia pays homage to Captain Meriwether Lewis, the 19th-century American explorer who discovered this plant during the Lewis and Clark expedition.

In a sunny rockery or the hollow of an old stone wall, Lewisia cotyledon ‘Elise Mix’ reveals its pastel flowers. Its compact habit and generous flowering harmonise with the silver finesse of Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’, the floriferous cushions of Aubrieta ‘Cascade Blue’ or the small yellow stars of Sedum kamtschaticum. In a pot, it lends itself to a delicate display, placed on a windowsill or integrated into a mineral composition.

Lewisia are also called 'Bitter root', because their edible roots, coated in a bitter skin, were traditionally harvested by indigenous tribes to be consumed once peeled and cooked, roasted or dried, and even served as a form of currency. It is said that a plant kept dry for five years is capable of resurrecting to produce superb flowers the following summer. This is, at least, was the experience of a rather curious London botanist.