For outdoor gardens, moss rose and flowering purslanes are excellent choices. Here are some varieties you’ll find available.


Sundial Portulacas

The Sundial series are named for the fact that the fully double blooms resist closing. They remain open much longer each day than most moss rose varieties. The Sundial plants are suitable for both containers and garden beds. Allow about ten inches between plants if you’re planting them in gardens.

Very floriferous, these hybrids are early to bloom—about three months or so from the time the seeds are planted.

Only four inches tall, Sundial plants remain low and spreading. Less than six inches in height, they can easily grow to two feet across.

The Sundial series includes a wide range of flower colors. These are sold as a mix and individual colors. The vivid tones include yellow, orange, tangerine, scarlet, gold, mango, peppermint, and fuchsia. For the pastels, you can choose from white, cream, pink, and chiffon.

Several of these colors deserve more attention. Sundial Peppermint is just delightful. It features swirls of dark pink on a light pink background.

The Sundial series was introduced several years ago. Portulaca Sundial Peach was named an All-American Selections winner in 1999. An outstanding garden performer, this has uniquely colored blooms. They’re a fabulous pastel coral or peach with vibrant yellow centers. The blossoms are up to 2½ inches across.

Seeds are available from various sources, such as Territorial Seed, Thompson and Morgan, and Burpee.


Portulaca Jumbo Series

These lovely plants have trailing or cascading stems. The foliage is flattened and tear drop shaped.

The Jumbo series is available in eight flower colors. The gorgeous single, large blooms have yellow centers. Most have a dark blush around the eye. The pastel colors include a lovely white, light pink, and apricot. There is also a Jumbo Butterscotch, which is really a yellow. Jumbo Pink is a medium shade. Regarding shades of red, you can choose from Jumbo Scarlet, Jumbo Rose (a rose-pink), and Jumbo Red.