Carried by 7 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Cliff maids (Lewisia cotyledon) is a striking, long-lived perennial that thrives in rock gardens and alpine landscapes. A member of the purslane family, this hardy plant is native to the rugged, rocky slopes of southern Oregon and northern California, where it grows in subalpine terrain.
The plant forms a low-growing rosette of fleshy, evergreen leaves with a deep taproot that helps it anchor in rocky soils. In spring and early summer, tall stems rise above the foliage, bearing clusters of vibrant, star-shaped flowers. The blooms display a stunning variety of colors, ranging from pale pink with darker veining to creamy white with pinkish-orange stripes, and even solid shades of orange, yellow, or coral.
Cliff maids are prized not only for their ornamental beauty but also for their ecological value. The bright, showy flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, making them a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. Their tolerance of rocky, well-draining soils makes them an excellent choice for rock gardens, dry borders, or container planting.
Perennial herb, Succulent
4 - 12 in Tall
1 ft Wide
Spreading
Fast
Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous
Slight
Orange, Yellow, Pink, White
Summer, Spring
Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low
Max 1x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to -20 - -15° F
Fast
Well drained.
Soil PH: 5 - 7
Rocky, sandy fast draining slopes with Oak woodland, Pine/Fir forest, or subalpine forest
Lodgepole Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Oak Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest