Hi folks I live in Calgary Canada, anyone in similar northern climates have any successes or failures overwintering Lewisia/Bitter Root? I did nothing to mine (mostly by mistake but I was currious if they'd be okay), and they clearly got too wet as the leaf structure appears rotted. I'm leaving them be for now to see if they re-grow plantlets since the growing season is just getting started here. Under a clay pot? Under burlap? I'm not convinced leaf/bark mulch would be enough to keep water out. With the chinooks our snow cover melts frequently during the winter so is not reliable protection.
From what little I've seen of these, rot sets in on the leaves if they remain wetted. Under a clay pot would work very well, I should think -- they don't mind the cold, and soil moisture isn't a problem as long as it is in well-drained soil.
Thanks Daniel! They're such pretty plants, I would love to have an established rocky space in the garden with Lewisia :) I bought two new little healthy plants yesterday, looking forward to building them a home if I can help them overwinter...
You don't need to protect them from excess wet in Calgary as you would out on the coast - no alpine house or covers are needed. Good drainage is helpful though. They do okay in alpine beds and sometimes in well-drained regular soil (the dry climate here can be a benefit to some plants). Are you a member of the Calgary Rock and Alpine Garden Society (CRAGS)? If so, you could see how people are growing them outdoors by attending the garden tours.
Hey there, no I am not a member of CRAGS but I plan to go to the annual spring sale in May so will sign up there if I can! I had two Lewisia in what should be good drainage (sandy soil, rock mulch and sloped), but upon snow melt this spring they appeared rotted and very dead, so clearly what I did or where they are didn't work for them :( Unless they send up new plants next to the dead one, but so far no sign of new growth.
