Description
Lewisia – Bitter Root –
There are about 20 species of deciduous or evergreen tap rooted perennials in this genus. They occur in the Rocky Mountains in Western USA. They produce rosettes or tufts of fleshy, leathery leaves that vary greatly in shape. The deciduous species occur in open, stony meadows or grassland, and die down after flowering, evergreens are commonly found in partial shade among rocks or in crevices. The starry flowers, each with 5-9, sometimes up to 10 petals, are produces in shades of pink, magenta, purple, orange, yellow, or white. They are usually held in cymes or panicles, occasionally singly or in racemes or corymbs, in spring and summer, often over long periods. Grow in an alpine house or rock garden, or in the crevices of a retaining wall.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, sharply drained, neutral to acidic soil: deciduous species and hybrids in full sun, evergreen in light shade. Protect all from winter moisture, protect deciduous Lewisias from rain in summer, when dormant.
Prone to rust, stem rot, snails, slugs, aphids, and mealybugs.
L. brachycalyx – This dwarf, tufted, deciduous perennial from Southern California and Arizona grows 3″ tall and wide. It produces basal rosettes of inversely lance shaped, dark green leaves, 1 1/4-3″ long. In late spring and early summer it bears numerous solitary, funnel shaped, white, sometimes pale pink flowers, 1-2″ across, are held on stems to 2 ½” long.
Zones 5-7
