Rocky slopes, wet granite sand or gravel, moist meadows, stream edges.

Lewisia pygmaea is a species of flowering plant in the purslane family known by the common name alpine lewisia and pygmy bitterroot. It is native to western North America from Alaska and Alberta to California and New Mexico, where it grows in many types of moist, rocky mountain habitat, such as gravel beds and sandy meadows. This is a highly variable species with a wide distribution, and it often hybridizes with other Lewisia species, making identification difficult. In general, this is a petite perennial herb growing from a taproot and caudex unit, and producing a basal rosette of several leaves 2 to 8 centimeters long. The leaves are narrow but thick and fleshy, blunt-tipped, and linear to lance-shaped. The flower cluster is usually made up of a few very short stems each bearing one or more flowers which appear to be sitting on or within the basal leaf rosette. Each flower has 5 to 9 white, pink or red petals which may or may not have dark veining or striping. The petals are 4 millimeters to one centimeter long.
SOWING ADVICE: SEEDS CAN BE SOWN AT ANY TIME BUT ARE BEST SOWN IN WINTER OR EARLY SPRING TO BENEFIT FROM A COLD SPELL IN THE WET COMPOST TO BREAK THEIR DORMANCY. WE ADVISE COVERING SEEDS VERY THINLY WITH SAND OR FINE GRIT TO ABOUT THE DEPTH OF THE SEED SIZE. IF THE SEEDS DO NOT COME UP WITHIN 6 TO 12 WEEKS THE DAMP SEED TRAY CAN BE GIVEN COLD TREATMENT IN A FRIDGE FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS. THEY MAY STILL TAKE VERY MANY MONTHS TO APPEAR, SO PLEASE NEVER DISCARD THE POT OR TRAY.
Flower Specifications
Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Height: 8 - 12 inches
Bloom Season: Late spring to early fall
Bloom Color: Mix
Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type: Well drained, dry, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Planting Directions
Temperature: 64F - 71F
Average Germ Time: 21 - 28 days
Light Required: Yes
Depth: Surface sow and press seeds in to soil
Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
Plant Spacing: 12 inches