Lewisia 'Little Mango'

Where to Plant:

This beautiful alpine succulent produces stunning, star-like flowers of a rich mango-orange. It absolutely demands a position in full sun or very light shade with perfect, sharp drainage. The single most important factor for its survival is keeping the neck of the plant dry, as it will rot if it sits in damp conditions. It is therefore ideal for planting vertically in the crevices of a wall, in a rockery, a gravel garden, or in a terracotta pot or alpine trough where you have complete control over the compost.

How to Plant:

Plant container-grown specimens in spring or summer. The planting technique is critical. If planting in a pot, use a mix of loam-based compost and horticultural grit in equal measures. When placing the plant, ensure the fleshy rosette of leaves sits on a top dressing of pure grit or gravel, not on the compost itself. This keeps the crown dry. If planting in a garden, choose a slope or crevice and plant it at a slight angle to help water run away from the centre.

Aftercare:

Water moderately during the spring and summer growing season, but always allow the compost to dry out before watering again. After flowering, you can snip off the spent flower stalks to keep the plant tidy. The main challenge is winter care. In wet climates, it is best to move potted plants to a rain shadow (like the side of a house) or into a cold greenhouse or alpine house to protect them from excessive rain. They are hardy to cold, but not to winter wet.