Flowers for Friday – Portulaca
This flower is portulaca, also known as a moss rose. Every summer when I plant annuals, I get some moss roses. They are one of the few flowers that can tolerate a lot of heat and not much water. So back in MA, I planted them by the mailbox where they were exposed to heat from the driveway and the road.
Here in MN, I’ve planted them in pots and put them on the deck where I can see them daily.
They can be a variety of colors, such as red, hot pink, peachy orange, orangey yellow, yellow, and white. Well, I guess technically white isn’t a color, but you get the idea. Part of what I like about them is how a variety of colors can bloom in the same pot. In these examples, the plants happened to be blooming mostly the same color, which was kind of unique and photo worthy, but that isn’t necessarily typical.
Not many people have heard of moss roses, but we had them when I was growing up, and they were always one of my favorite flowers. I think I liked them for their color, their small size, and their ruffly-ness. As an adult, I still love them for all of those things, but in addition I love their drought tolerance. I’m really terrible at remembering to water plants. I wouldn’t say that I have a brown thumb, but sometimes it comes close. Maybe tan.
What are some of the flowers you always plant? Do you have any standards?
Squirl says:
I LOVE moss roses. I’ve known about them for about 20 years. Even though they’re an annual they must reseed themselves. You just have to be careful not to pull the little ones in the spring along with the weeds.
I love pansies too. But you have to have time to water and deadhead them.
Thanks for the gorgeous pictures.
poopie says:
I adore them! I didn’t plant any annuals this year…first time in forever. Thanks for making it up to me.
Amber says:
I can’t believe those are still blooming. I remember coming over a while ago and they were in bloom. I guess I am just used to plants flowering for a week and then dying.
I really love the moss roses, though, and especially the pinks and oranges.
Lovely.
Since I am fairly young, I really don’t have any practices. I really like planting lilies now that I am older. When I was younger I always fancied rose bushes and daisies.
I want to plant daises next year.
I am hoping that with practice I am less of a “tan thumb”, as you say, and more of a greener one.
Ern says:
Those are beautiful! I love drought-tolerant plants too. I don’t ususally plant any flowers myself, because I’ve always been a renter, and it’s hard to put too much effort into a yard maintained by someone else. But I often tend the roses myself.
(PS, I too will be glad when the summer students clear out. I don’t have any assigned to me this year, but sometimes it’s more work than help, and it ALWAYS makes the whole lab crowded.)
Squirl says:
Am I not seeing the exercise post or have you been too busy? I hope you’re okay,
I actually took a couple of long walks this week and was ready to tell all about it.
Thanks for stopping by my place today.
LadyBug says:
Moss roses…I’ll have to remember that. We certainly have to have hearty, drought- and heat-tolerant flowers here. It’s probably too late in the season to try to get some now, but maybe next spring…
Love and hugs to you, Danielle.