In Cornwall, UK (Z 9b) this plant is best grown on top of a south-facing wall in gritty soil, with protection from a fence or hedge behin...Read Mored it.
In this sort of position it grows well and flowers each summer, but plants seldom live for more than 4-5 years.
In any case,in the UK's dull wet climate they get killed if the temperature drops much below -4 C, making them only worth growing in Cornwall.
It is best to buy large plants, because they do not always flower when small. Take really large cuttings 4-5 inches high with 4 or more branches (they root easily) in summertime so that the plants have grown big enough to flower well by the following summer.
All Lampranthus species will survive in poor dry soil and will take a lot of neglect, but sometimes get a disease which produces small white spots over the leaves (like paint splatter) which may kill them.
I think this may be caused by poor soil and general neglect - especially if plants are in pots. So water them with a weak feed and don't let them dry out too much in summer.
Even in the dull UK climate they will flower in dappled sun, and this extends flowering, so plant several plants in different positions to extend the flowering time.
In Cornwall, UK (Z 9b) this plant is best grown on top of a south-facing wall in gritty soil, with protection from a fence or hedge behin...Read More