Category Archives: Alpines

Lewisia rediviva (Bitterroot)

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Bitterroot is widespread in the western United States, ranging from Washington and California eastward to Montana (where it is the state flower), The currently accepted scientific name of bitterroot is Lewisia rediviva Pursh. There are two recognized varieties: Lewisia rediviva var. rediviva and Lewisia rediviva var. minor (Rydb.) Munz. The latter variety occurs in the mountains of Nevada and southern California. It’s distinguished by smaller flowers.

The Pacific Northwest abounds with native plants that bring beauty to the home garden while offering food and shelter to birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Showy lewisias stand out in the rock garden, and with patience, you can also propagate them in pots. While many types of Lewisia cotyledon can be found in nurseries, and in various mountains, Lewisia rediviva is found higher in the mountains of Washington, Oregon, Utah and especially Montana, the state’s plant.

Photo by Gary Monroe. Courtesy of USDA, Forest Service Department of Agriculture.
Lewisia rediviva showing slightly rounded tips. Photo by Gary Monroe. Courtesy of USDA, Forest Service Department of Agriculture.

This lewisia, one of many, Iooks like a rediviva, but notice the pointed edges on the tip of each leaf. Perhaps it was cross pollinated or even a sport.

Lewisia Cotyledon Tangerine ‘Sunset Strain’

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This Lewisia of the Pacific Northwest is also extremely hardy, long blooming and low maintenance. You may find a burst of bloom as early as April or May, and also deliver a succession of flower clusters as late as October. Beware you may have to settle for a range of sunset colors such as apricot, pink and, of course, tangerine. A mixture of these colors is equally as beautiful and can be found at your local plant nursery.

If you are just searching for Lewisia Tangerine you may find it online at Annie’s Annuals & Perennials in California. And for a bundle of Lewisia information scroll down to the bottom of this post.

Crested Gentian from the Caucasus Mountains

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Blue is the color between violet and green on the optical spectrum of visible light. I love having blue plants in the garden, probably because of my tendency to red-green color blindness. To my eye, and unlike some reddish hues surrounded by green (especially at a distance), blue stands out.

Gentiana septemfida v. lagodechiana 'Select'

Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana ‘Select’

Most of the flowers in the genus Gentiana are blue. This large genus (around 400 species) is known especially for its blue, trumpet shaped flowers.

My plant was purchased from Edelweiss Perennials, a small family run mail-order nursery located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, in Canby, Oregon.  This alpine gentian is a great little plant for the rock garden or front of a border. It’s easy to grow, thrives in all kinds of soil and (unlike many alpines) doesn’t seem to mind our wet rainy winters here in the lowlands of the Pacific Northwest.

I planted it in front of Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Sike’s Dwarf’,which is known for foliage and blooms that extend all the way to the ground.

gentian-hydrangeaThe following plant description is courtesy of Hill Farm Nursery located north of McLeese Lake in British Columbia, Canada.

  • Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana ‘Select’. CRESTED GENTIAN, SUMMER GENTIAN. Perennial. Zone 3. Caucasus Mountains, alpine regions of Iran, Iraq, Turkey. This selected variety is originally from the Lagodekhi region of the Republic of Georgia (former U.S.S.R.). A beautiful and encouragingly easy alpine, which is also known as the “everyman’s gentian” because of its wide tolerance to various growing conditions. Low growing, slightly sprawling clumps of 6-inch stems are starred in summer by many clusters of rich blue flowers with white and purple highlights. Close examination reveals a cluster of intricate hairs and speckles within the trumpet throats of each small bloom. Prefers a bit of shade in hot summer regions, average soil and moisture.