Dear Lewisia lovers,
I am mad for Lewisia. In the past three or four years I have grown
a few hybrid seed (no guess as to parents) to mature, flowering, in the
ground plants. I used the late B. Leroy Davidson's 'Lewisias' as my
guide, Cathy, with your USDA Zone 9A and my Zone 9B, we can grow in the
ground, with care.
Mine are in a special raised bed augmented with about 200#
sand. A half brick was inserted into each planting spot level with the
ground. One plant was placed hard against a single brick. The exposure is
fully eastern with some from the south in early day. Shade for the
afternoon is a Pinus. Yet, no branches hang over the plants for they do
not like moisture dripping onto their leaves. Like some cacti, they have a
caudex which keeps them going during summer dormancy. Dormancy can be
completely deciduous or evergreen according to the species grown. In the
summer heat 90 - 100 degrees F, I water about once weekly. With the sand
and raised beds, the soil drains very quickly.
Bill, I imagine your success with the clay potted plant had a lot to do
with the shade you provided and your intuitive good judgement on watering.
Michael, You are correct. Winter wetness can do them in, but not dry
cold. Many Lewisia sp. come from montane areas which are snow covered in
the winter. Snow is water held in frozen form. Thus the plants are cold
but dry.
Kind regards, Joyce Miller
Joyce E. Miller mailto:onager@midtown.net
Zone USDA 9A Summer highs 100+degrees F for several to many days. Winter
lows 27 degrees F