Tip #2: Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Moss Rose acts like a floral carpet that laughs in the face of triple-digit temperatures. Featuring thick, fleshy, succulent-like leaves, this low-growing annual stores precious moisture within its own cellular structure. Because the plant brings its own water supply, it easily qualifies as one of the best drought tolerant flowers available to home gardeners. The neon-bright blooms open wide during sunny days and close tightly at night or during overcast weather.
Growing only three to eight inches tall, Moss Rose spreads outward to create a dense, colorful mat up to two feet wide. You will find it thrives beautifully in the poorest, rockiest soils where other plants simply shrivel. They make excellent choices for planting between paving stones, along sun-baked driveway edges, or cascading out of terracotta pots.
Sow Moss Rose seeds directly into sandy soil after the danger of spring frost passes. You rarely need to water these resilient groundcovers once their roots establish; a light soaking every two weeks sustains them perfectly through peak summer heat. Avoid adding heavy fertilizers to your Portulaca beds. Too much nitrogen encourages the plant to grow long, spindly green stems at the complete expense of those brilliant, jewel-toned flowers.
