Lewisia 'Little Snowberry'

Where to Plant:

This exquisite alpine plant, which produces a profusion of pure white, star-shaped flowers, must be grown in a position with full sun and impeccable drainage. Its fleshy, evergreen rosette will rot if it sits in damp conditions, so it is essential to keep the crown of the plant dry. The perfect locations are planted sideways in the crevices of a dry stone wall, in a gravel or scree garden, a rockery, or in a terracotta pot or alpine trough filled with a very gritty compost mix.

How to Plant:

You can plant container-grown specimens during the spring and summer. The planting method is key to its survival. Use a compost mix of at least 50% horticultural grit. When planting, ensure the rosette of leaves sits on top of a collar of grit, not directly on the compost. This keeps moisture away from the plant's neck. Planting at a slight angle is also highly effective, as it allows rainwater to drain away from the centre of the rosette.

Aftercare:

During the growing season in spring and summer, water the plant moderately, always allowing the compost to dry out between waterings. After the main flush of flowers, snip off the spent stems to keep the plant looking tidy. The most important part of its care is to protect it from excessive winter rain. Move potted plants into a cold frame, an unheated greenhouse, or into the rain shadow against a house wall to keep them dry. They are hardy to cold, but not to being cold and wet.