Cotyledon lewisia

[JaneO]

This little fellow has been outside, uncovered all winter. Just starting to flower!

[Paul in Essex]

Should that maybe have the names the other way around - Lewisia cotyledon? Lovely things and tricky to grow well.

[juster]

I think you've done well Jane. I believe these are quite susceptible to rot, which is the problem with growing them outside. I keep a few in pots in my unheated greenhouse, one of them rotted this last winter

[Stuart]

I think they like to grow on a slope or at an angle so water doesn't stay in the centre. There's lots of fancy Lewisias in garden centres at the moment, maybe worth a try outside. This genus is one of the crossovers between our hobby and the alpine growers.

Stuart

[Paul in Essex]

Yes, exactly this. I have a number of them. I have read they prefer north or east facing situations so that is how I planted mine, wedged into crevices. I don't think cold-hardiness is an issue, mine have taken -8C and a fortnight below freezing in 2009/10 and the subsequent nasties.

[Smel]

Hi,
Is this the common Lewisa that I grow on the rockery every year, and replace it every year as it never seems to suvive?? the Winter?
Anyone have any miniture or small Saxifrage, sedums or sempervivums for a small rockery...

Mel.

[juster]

Taken at RHS Wisley today and doing very well growing in a crevice in a wall.

[Tony R]

A very impressive plant!

[Ross M]

I've got a few that have just sat in pots in the front garden for the past five years or so. They seem happy and are flowering just now. Very vibrant colours

[juster]

Lovely plants Ross, do you protect them from rain over the winter? I find that rot is the main problem with these.