Friday, July 27, 2012

The beauty of moss rose


I've grown moss rose since we had a rock garden in front of our Spanish Tudor house in Iowa.  We lived there when Christopher was a baby and toddler.

It is doing fairly well in the garden.  However, look at the way the above moss rose looks in the container on the deck.

I saw something similar in a magazine and thought it lovely.  All I did was plant five moss rose starts in one clay pot in May.  Since moss rose grows like a ground cover, placing a lot of plants in one container (probably 12" or so) creates a fullness you don't see on the ground.

It absolutely loves heat and drought!  It has to have full sun to flower.

12 comments:

Sherry said...

I've never heard of moss rose, but maybe I need to find me some. That's lovely.

Terra said...

Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of moss rose, it's been too long since I had them in my garden.
The container flowers are gorgeous.

Cheryl (Copperswife) said...

I have a beautiful pot growing and thriving in my backyard. My mom grew it in a rock garden when I was a teenager, and I've loved it ever since. I love the way the flowers open in the morning sun, and close as night falls. I wish it were known as Moss Rose here, but everyone just calls it Portulaca. Not as pretty of a name, but the plant is still a summer beauty.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I grow these too and just love them. So cheerful and such nice happy colors. I had some come up from last year that were in the plant boxes on my deck. A happy and welcome surprise. They are doing very well.

I hope you had some rain! We did, yesterday.

Vee said...

Also known as portulaca? I think so...looks like it. I think that pot is very pretty and God obviously knew that it was going to be one hot summer and so you planted this pot in May. It must make you smile to see it looking so fine.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Gorgeous! I'd forgotten that they really are great in heat. Must remember for next year - I'm sure it'll be another hot summer!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Isn't it amazing how it is thriving when every other plant is stressed due to drought.

God is so amazing with His creation!

Deanna

Nana said...

Oh my, that is beautiful!! I will remember this for next year (which will probably be cold and rainy!) Its also called portulaca here in Ohio. Love and hugs, Nana.

Heather said...

Brenda, when we lived in Phoenix my husband often went out in the desert exploring and he found it growing everywhere. He brought some home to me and I planted it in our whisky barrel. It definitely is one that thrives in the heat.
Your planter is sooo beautiful!!

Love, Heather

Mrs. V. said...

I love moss roses and also have some in a container on my front porch. :0)

Marie said...

I was so glad to see your moss rose--I love it! I had not had any planted in years and asked my husband to please plant some this year. He did and it is beautiful. I like it because it grows almost by itself. When it is not too hot, I go out and pull the dead blooms and scatter the seeds back into the pot. Also, good luck we your crocheting and prayer shawls. I wish I was near you to help. I knit most of mine and belong to the prayer ministry at our church.
Love,
Marie

Front Porch Grace said...

So lovely.

"Do you think it is only a little thing to possess a house from which lovely things can be seen?"
~Saint Teresa