| If your garden suffers during hot, dry summers, Ruby Tuesday has come to help! This native tender perennial sets masses of magenta-violet blooms, glossy and eye-catching, atop succulent foliage over a long, late season. Let it carry you through the dog days of August and the doldrums of September, bridging the between-season gap beautifully! A member of the Portulaca family, this Calandrinia has the same rubbery, blue-green succulent foliage as its more widely-used cousin. The flowers also resemble Portulaca, but appear at the end of long stems for a much taller, more upright habit. Wonderfully heat- and drought-tolerant, Ruby Tuesday seeks well-drained soil of any type in full sun. It will do the rest! Expect the blooms to begin in mid- to late summer and to last for several weeks into fall, transforming any hot, bare soil into an oasis. Traditionally used in rock gardens, it has expanded its range to include the sunny border and containers of all types! 12 to 18 inches high but just 6 to 9 inches wide, its compact size makes it a good choice even for small-space gardens. Enjoy the beauty and ease of culture of this native plant! Zones 8-10. |
