Portulaca

Moss rose is a low-growing annual native to South America. Margarita makes well-branched plants with a mounding habit. It blooms uniformly across all varieties, producing many large, semi-double flowers in an extensive colour range. Excellent landscape performance, Very low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant and is perfect for harsh conditions. The plant has succulent leaves that are fleshy and narrow and grows 8 inches tall and 1 foot wide forming a matt. The flowers are red, orange, yellow, white and other pastel colors that come in single, semi-double and double forms.  The flowers do not open on cloudy or rainy days and close up from sundown to sun up.

This plant has a high drought and heat tolerance and needs to be planted in well-drained sandy or rocky soils in full sun. Use Moss Rose in a rock or crevice garden, in the front of the border, in pots and hanging planters or allow to cascade down a wall. It will self-seed, without becoming invasive.  Deadheading will deter self-seeding.  They don’t take well to transplanting and care should be given when handling seedlings.