Photo of Lewisia 'Little Plum' flower by moonrhythm

Photo by moonrhythm

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Lewisia 'Little Plum'

Also Known As

  • Lewisia longipetala 'Plum'
  • Lewisia longipetala x cotyledon 'Little Plum'
  • Plum Cliff Maids

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 6"-8"
  • W: 6"-8"

planting zones

  • 4a-10b

More Options

Lewisia 'Little Plum' plant details

Lewisia 'Little Plum' is a broadleaf evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer apricot, pink and purple flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in gritty, rocky and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lewisia 'Little Plum'

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: montiaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 IN - 8 IN - wide, 6 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: apricot, pink and purple blooms in spring and summer
Uses: alpine, leathery leaves, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lewisia 'Little Plum'

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Soil needs: gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A profusion of large rose-purple flowers are borne on the compact rosettes of this almost-native in late spring-early summer and in early fall; a chance cross of our western L. longipetala x L. cotyledon found in Scotland! S/M-D/GDr
Zn 4. Bright pink to plum primrose like flowers.
Stunning, star-shaped, daisy-like flowers are lavender-pink with salmon colored stripes making this Lewisia stand out among the rest. The low-growing foliage is a fleshly, succulent-like rosette. 'Little Plum' is an excellent plant for a sunny windowsill or a dry, partially sunlit rock garden. Blooming from late spring through early summer, its easy-care style and beautiful lavender blooms make it a winner in your drought tolerant collection. A native plant to western North America, Lewisias are named for Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Lewisia was first discovered by Lewis and Clark and the genus' beauty has delighted for more than 200 years since. The lovely little evergreen succulent rosettes are adorned in late spring with clusters of deep pink with orange highlights. Plants may rebloom later in the season. A native of alpine regions, Lewisia require good drainage and enjoy full to part sun. Plant them in containers, rock gardens and in the crevices of retaining walls.
An interesting cross between L. longipetala and L. cotyledon with longipetala as the seed parent, plants are freely repeat blooming and long lived, with up to 100 Plum colored inch wide upward facing flowers on short scapes. It is obviously intermediate between the two parents.
Found in high altitude snowbeds in the Sierras, in dry scree. Hybridized for flower color. Requires fast draining soil. Hardy to below 0 °F.
Found in Scotland as a chance seedling, this fabulous Lewisia is probably from a cross of L. longipetala and L. cotyledon. Magnificent purple-pink blossoms, with a hint of orange upon opening, are borne in profusion on a compact little plant (6” tall) April thru mid-June AND again in September. Attractive, leathery-leaved rosettes. Lewisias are not hard to grow at all if you give them gritty soil, like in a rock garden or like me in clay pots with gravel in the mix.
A cultivar from Scotland. AL. cotgledon and L. longipetala hybrid.

Gardening facts about Lewisia 'Little Plum' plant

How to Grow Lewisia 'Little Plum'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
    • apricot
    • purple
  • Wildlife

    • bees
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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