Lewisia rediviva

RHS Plant Profile
bitter root

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Other common names

bitterwort

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A deciduous alpine perennial with rosettes of narrow, succulent, dark green leaves up to 5cm in height. In early spring and summer large - 5cm across, many petalled pink or white flowers bloom, after which, the plant dies back for summer dormancy

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Montiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Lewisia can be herbaceous or evergreen perennials forming rosettes of fleshy leaves, with panicles of open funnel-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours in spring and summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideal for an alpine house, rock garden or scree, where plants can receive resonable amounts of water in spring, but drier winters. See scree gardening for more information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids under glass, and slugs and snails outside

Diseases

May be susceptible to neck rots in wet conditions