Purslane

Every summer I buy 3 Purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) baskets. I know they are annuals, but their pretty flowers look good until late fall. There is a garden center close to me that sells them at really good prices. They have several sizes--I buy the small ones. The nursery has baskets that are so big, I wouldn't even be able to lift them. I can just picture that size basket on a big iron stand looking pretty and showy on a sunny flagstone patio some where. But not in my yard--this smaller size is perfect!

This basket sits on an old tree stump in the wildflower bed in the backyard.





This basket is on the opposite side of the backyard sitting on a stand I bought at Lowe's.













This basket is in the front, sitting right by the steps leading to the sidewalk.

The Purslane flowers do not open until the sun hits them--or at least until it is very light. And you never know what colors you will have! That is my favorite part of having these plants. I see different colors everyday. Some days, there is more yellow, some days more orange, some days there are a few white flowers--some days there are no white flowers!
Gardening can be very frustrating this time of year, but Purslane's are very dependable. I can look out early in the morning and think...hum, not many flowers today, then 30 minutes later the basket is covered in blooms. Happy flowers for happy gardeners!