Lewisia cotyledon Golden Yellow

Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Golden Yellow' is part of a series of Siskiyou Lewisia selected for their ability to flower at a very young age, 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 small star-shaped flowers. In 'Golden Yellow', they are light yellow mixed with golden yellow. Charming in rock gardens, Lewisia 'Elise' is also a very decorative plant for sunny flower pots. Plant in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade in warm climates.

Lewisia plants belong to the family of Portulacaceae recently reclassified into the Montiaceae family. They are all native to the North American Rocky Mountains and were discovered in the early 19th century. They grow in small isolated populations in rocky crevices or gravelly scree slopes. Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Golden Yellow' is an evergreen perennial without stems, possessing an underground storage organ called a caudex and a reddish-brown, ramified, and pivot-like root system. It hybridizes and self-sows easily 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-like habit, reaching about 25cm (10in) in all directions. They form rosettes of succulent leaves that are dark glaucous green, turning reddish with cold. The leaves measure 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) in length, they are narrow and spatulate-shaped. Flowering takes place in spring, from March to June-July, more or less early depending on the climate. The flowers, about 3cm (1in) in diameter, are star-shaped corollas with 7 to 12 shiny, slightly fringed petals. They are grouped in small bouquets carried by a stem that rises above the leaf rosettes. They close at night.

A small plant with a captivating charm, Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise Golden Yellow' catches the eye with its profusion of delicate and cheerful flowers that appear to be 'grafted' onto the rocky ground. Whether in a border, in a planter on a balcony, or placed at the top of a wall, it is easy to find a special place for this little marvel, away from winter humidity, which it fears much more than the cold.

Lewisia is also known as 'Bitter root' because its 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, repot and store them under cover (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 eliminated.