Calandrinia has about 150 species and is native to Australia, Chile and Western North America. It is commonly called Rock Purslane. It is low-growing herbs; widespread throughout tropical and warm temperate regions. Calandrinia is ideal for borders and rockeries.

 

The plant grows 6 inches tall. Flowers are cup-shaped and upturned.  The flowers are panicles of purplish ephemeral flowers and are 2 to 2½ inches across and last only one day. They are though short-lived. Calandrinia has fleshy leaves, pale green above and purple beneath. Leaves are alternate or basal.

 

Calandrinia thrives in a warm and good loam, and blooms throughout the autumn. The bloom time is mid summer, late summer/early fall. Calandrinia is a low, creeping plant that has grayish foliage and tolerates dry soil. It is a good rock garden plant.

 

Calandrinia forms nice little tufts of foliage covered with glowing magenta-crimson flowers, which open in full sun. The small seeds germinate readily, and the young seedlings are grown in individual pots until planted out carefully after danger of frost is past.

 

The plant needs a well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. During winter rest period, water should be restricted to only enough to keep the foliage from shriveling. Propagation methods include dividing the root ball, propagating from seed, directly sowing outdoors in fall. Calandrinia should be planted 30cm apart. It grows best in sunny and warm rockeries and crevices or when grown in pots.

 

Did you know?

 

• Calandrinia was named for Jean Louis Calandrini, an 18th century Swiss botanist.