Lewisia cotyledon Elise Mix

Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise' is a new series of Siskiyou Lewisia selected for their ability to flower very young, from the first year of cultivation. These adorable little perennials bloom in spring and a large part of summer, with a multitude of brightly coloured star-shaped flowers, either solid or adorned with a bicoloured pattern, which varies depending on the plants. Beautiful in rock gardens, Lewisia 'Elise' are also highly decorative plants for sunny flower pots. Plant them in spring, in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade in hot climates.

Lewisia plants belong to the family of Portulacacaes, recently reclassified into the Montiaceae family. They are all native to the Rocky Mountains and were discovered in the early 19th century. They grow in small isolated populations in rocky crevices or gravelly scree. Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise' is an evergreen perennial, without stems, possessing an underground storage organ called a caudex and a reddish-fusiform, ramified, and pivot-shaped root system. It easily hybridizes and self-seeds in rocky terrain. The 'Elise' selection brings together some magnificent forms with very vivid or very tender colours: sumptuous shades of pink, salmon, orange, white, and yellow, on solid or bicoloured flowers. These plants have a loose clump habit, reaching about 25cm (10in) in all directions. They form succulent rosettes of dark glaucous green leaves, which turn red in the cold. The leaves measure 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long and are narrow, spatulate-shaped. Flowering takes place in spring, from March to June-July, varying depending on the climate. The flowers, about 3cm (1in) in diameter, are star-shaped corollas with 7 to 12 shiny, slightly fringed petals in various colours. They are grouped in small clusters carried by a stem that overhangs the leaf rosettes. They close at night.

A small plant with a captivating charm, Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise' catches the eye with its profusion of delicate and brightly coloured flowers, which seem to be 'grafted' onto rocks. Whether in a border, in a flower pot on a balcony, or placed at the top of a wall, it is easy to find a special place for this little marvel, sheltered from winter humidity, which it fears much more than the cold.

Lewisia plants are also known as 'Bitter root' because their edible roots, covered with a bitter skin, were traditionally harvested by indigenous tribes to be consumed once peeled and cooked, grilled, or dried, and even served as currency. It is said that a plant kept dry for five years is capable of resurrecting to produce beautiful flowers the following summer. This is at least the adventure experienced by a curious London botanist.

Note: Attention, our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under shelter (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost is definitively gone.