Lewisiopsis spp.
Tweedy's lewisia
Pacific Northwest (eastern Cascades, Washington to British Columbia)
Overview
Lewisiopsis spp. is a monotypic genus in the purslane family (Montiaceae), represented by Lewisiopsis tweedyi, an evergreen alpine perennial of the Pacific Northwest. Plants form a basal rosette 6-12 in (15-30 cm) wide of thick, fleshy, spatula-shaped leaves 4-8 in (10-20 cm) long, each tapering to a broad winged stalk. In late spring, branched stems rise just above the foliage carrying funnel-shaped flowers 2-3 in (5-8 cm) across in shades of apricot, peach, salmon-pink, and pale yellow, each with 8-10 petals. A single plant may open 6-12 blooms over several weeks. The leaves persist through winter, separating the genus from deciduous Lewisia spp. species in which it was formerly placed. Roots are thick and taproot-like, storing water through the dry summer. Plants rot quickly in wet, poorly drained soil and decline if disturbed once established. Native populations grow on gritty, fast-draining slopes where moisture is plentiful in spring and scarce in late summer.
Native Range
Lewisiopsis tweedyi is native to a small area of the eastern Cascade Range in central Washington State, USA, extending into adjacent southern British Columbia, Canada. It grows on rocky, gritty slopes and cliff ledges at montane to subalpine elevations, often in light shade among shrubs and conifers.Suggested Uses
Lewisiopsis spp. is grown in rock gardens, scree beds, alpine troughs, and crevice plantings where sharp drainage can be guaranteed. It is spaced 8-12 in (20-30 cm) apart among low companions that do not shade the rosette. Container culture in gritty mix suits gardens with heavy or wet soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring, generally May to June. Funnel-shaped blooms in apricot, peach, salmon-pink, and pale yellow open in succession over 3-5 weeks. Each flower lasts several days, and a mature rosette may carry a dozen blooms across the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Apricot, peach, salmon-pink, and pale yellowFoliage Description
Blue-green, fleshyGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lewisiopsis spp. grows in full sun to light shade in gritty, sharply drained soil with a near-neutral pH of 6.0-7.5. The thick taproot rots in soils that stay wet, so plantings rely on rock-garden mixes, scree beds, or troughs amended with grit. Moisture is needed through spring growth and flowering, followed by drier conditions in summer. Hardiness covers USDA zones 4-8, with crowns served by a gravel collar that sheds water away from the rosette. Plants establish slowly and tolerate root disturbance poorly, so they are left undivided. Overhead winter wet is the main cause of loss in cultivation.Pruning
Lewisiopsis spp. needs no structural pruning. Spent flower stems are removed at the base after bloom. Dead or rotted outer leaves are pulled away in spring to expose the crown to air.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons