Why do I think purslane is perfect for growing in pots outside? Because they perfectly decorate loggias, verandas and balconies, turning them into a beautiful “rose garden”, because the double flowers of purslane really resemble small roses..
This is one of those plants that look great in outdoor pots, vases, various hanging pots, etc…
The stems of the plant with leaves like Christmas needles intertwine and perfectly cover the soil, and the bright flowers: yellow, orange, scarlet, pink, white form a colorful carpet on the ground.
Personally, I have these flowers growing in a variety of containers, along with petunias and other bushy low-growing flowers. I love this flower. The flowers are quite large, very bright, the leaves are small, but the inflorescence will turn out to be whole.
All decorative purslane belong to the species of large-flowered Purslane (Portulaca grandiflora). There are many varieties, they differ in the color of the petals and the degree of terry. Some manufacturers distinguish ampel varieties, although ordinary ones can also be grown as ampel varieties. Often sold mixtures of seeds of multi-colored varieties, this planting looks very decorative.
This plant is a perennial, but it is grown as an annual, because in our conditions it does not winter in the open ground. The plant is creeping, succulent, its reddish branching stems rise above the ground by 15-20 cm (5.9-7.9 inches). The flowers open only during the day in sunny weather. This is, of course, a disadvantage in the conditions of the middle zone, but the obvious advantage is a long flowering.
Purslane blooms from mid-June to September, when the first frosts come. Flowering is plentiful, but each individual flower blooms in one day, then withers and binds the fruit. If the faded flowers are not removed in time and the box matures, the purslane will give self-seeding, which is usually undesirable, because the plants obtained in this way for the next year will bloom only by August.
By the way, these flowers do not grow in containers, but in such a “hill of boxes”. I don’t even know what to call it. One day my mother saw a photo of this method of growing in a magazine, and we decided that we should try it. Sure, it doesn’t look so-so right now, but when it’s completely covered in flowers, it looks amazing.
So, to plant purslane in small areas and in large numbers, collect pyramids from “boxes” of different sizes and without a bottom. Then they are placed on top of each other, and each previous level is covered with earth. That’s all. Fast, easy, and, in my opinion, original.
Above, by the way, is a photo of these pyramids. For some reason, in the summer I did not think and photographed this “pyramid” without flowers.
But back to the main features of purslane. It grows quickly, does not require fertilizing, likes sunlight, moderate watering… in general, no difficulties, plant and enjoy.