Lewisia 'Little Raspberry'

Lewisia 'Little Raspberry': Raspberry-Red Stars, Teacup Sized

'Little Raspberry' is a tiny plant that blows a big raspberry at the idea of looking dull. Generous clusters of raspberry-red stars over a low evergreen rosette. PFFFT TO BORING. PFFFT TO BEIGE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Lewisia longipetala hybrid 'Little Raspberry'
• Common Name: Cliff Maids, Lewisia
• Height: 15 cm (6 in) in flower
• Spread: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Flowers: Star-shaped, raspberry red to deep pink, in generous clusters
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer (May to June), often reblooming in September
• Foliage: Fleshy, deep green leaves in a low, evergreen rosette

Where to Plant: It's a bright accent for rock gardens, stone walls, gravel screes, alpine troughs and sunny containers. Planted in a crevice, it shows off its flowers at eye level and gets the dry crown it needs.

Companion Plants: Use 'Little Raspberry' in a sunny rock garden or gravel bed with red coneflowers and creamy pea flowers. Allium 'Millenium' adds rose-purple globes at 30 to 50 cm in July and August. Echinacea SunMagic® Vintage Hot Red brings red coneflowers at 45 to 60 cm from July to September. Baptisia Decadence® 'Vanilla Cream' adds creamy white spikes at 76 to 91 cm in June. Elymus canadensis stands behind at 90 to 150 cm with nodding, bristly seed heads.

Plant Care: Plant in very well-drained, gritty soil. In average border soil it will likely rot, so give it a raised, rocky spot, a slope, or a pot with a gritty mix. Set the crown slightly high and mulch with gravel, not bark. Water until it's settled, then only in long dry spells. In hot summers a little afternoon shade helps. Remove old flower stems after the spring flush to tidy the plant and encourage fall bloom. Winter cold isn't the problem. Sitting in slushy, wet soil is. Good drainage is your best winter protection.

History: 'Little Raspberry' was bred by Jelitto Perennial Seeds in Germany and released in 2015 as a later addition to its Little Series of Lewisia longipetala hybrids. The genus is named after Meriwether Lewis, who collected a lewisia on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Final Thoughts: Sharp drainage, plenty of sun, and it often comes back for round two. Plant it where the whole street can see the cheek. ATTITUDE COMES STANDARD.