Plant of the week

Lewisia cotyledon: Here’s a bit of a challenge – a lovely little alpine which hails from the mountains of North America. It’s not the easiest plant to grow, but get the conditions right and the rewards are obvious. The vivid blooms appear in late spring. Find a crevice in a drystone wall and it could be the ideal spot. It wants well-drained soil and as much sunshine as it can get. Better still, grow it in a pot and protect it from bad weather or bring it indoors to add a little something special to a cool room.