Claytonia sibirica

PINK PURSLANE

Claytonia sibirica
PINK PURSLANE

Claytonia sibirica is a handy little charmer that brightly gives coverage for shaded areas.

Stars of pink, white or candy-stripes

Because this sweet little groundcover covers itself with bright stars for a long blooming – from mid spring to mid summer.
And the star flowers can vary from soft pink, to pink and white candy-stripes, to pure white.

Handy coverage in shade

Pink Purslane makes a great groundcover in shaded areas.
It forms a rounded, mounding rosette 15 to 20cm. High and 90cm. to 1m. Wide.
Then the star blooms cover the rosette and beam up at you.

Heritage Edible 

Claytonia sibirica has been a popular foraged vegetable for many centuries and for many peoples.
Because the plant has a wide natural distribution – from the west coast of California, to the forests of Europe, and was also long ago introduced to Britain as an valuable edible.
So it has featured in the cuisine of the First Nations peoples of America as well as English cottage gardeners and Siberian farmers.

Versatile in the kitchen & rich in vitamin C

Purslane leaves are very high in Vitamin C and are delicious either raw or cooked.
The flavour is a little like Cress, slightly salty and with a mild citrus tang, and a little like Beetroot.
And freshly harvested leaves can be used raw in salads and also make a real treat in sandwiches (with or without Cucumber).
Plus leaves can be steamed like Spinach; tossed into stir-fries at the last minute; or used as a finely chopped garnish on meat to enhance flavours.

Miner’s Lettuce

Claytonia sibirica really came in handy during the Californian Gold Rush of the 1840’s.
When it probably saved many a miner from scurvy as a foraged and free vegetable, and gained one of its many common names – “Miner’s Lettuce”.

Indian medicine

While the native American First Nations people found many more uses for Pink Purslane.
Including anti-inflammatory eye-wash; hair shampoo and nit treatment; as a treatment for sore throats, headaches and urinary tract infections; and as a poultice for infected wounds.
That is one handy plant.

Easily grown in shade

Claytonia sibirica is easily grown with shade – so Full Shade to Dappled Light positions are all ideal.
And it thrives in the humus rich soil under trees and shrubs, providing it has regular water to help with the root competition.
And does especially well in a pot in a shaded corner of the veggie plot, so grow it just like Mint.
It is rarely if ever troubled by pests and diseases.

Quick & easy from seed

Pink Purslane is very quick and easy to grow from seed.
And it will happily self seed in the garden too, without becoming invasive (hot sun will stop it in its tracks).
It can be treated as a perennial and left to get on with it in the garden.
Or sown fresh each year for crop harvesting.

Many common names for this much loved heritage charmer

Claytonia sibirica is also known as Spring Beauty; Miner’s Lettuce; Candy Flower; Chinese Chickweed (the Chinese gold miners loved eating it too); and Pink Purslane of course.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Claytonia sibirica seeds are very quick and easy to germinate.

They can be scattered directly in the garden where they are to grow during winter spring / or raised indoors in punnets for early plants and quick flowering.

Sow indoors for rapid & maximum germination: First sow seeds on the surface good quality seed raising mix.
Then only very lightly sprinkle with sieved seed mix, to approx. 3-5mm depth.

Now soak the sown punnet in a shallow water bath, so the moisture percolates up from below through to the surface of the mix.

Then place in a warm, well lit place (not in any direct sunlight), or place on a heat mat.
Temperatures of 18-20 degrees C are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a water-spray bottle.
And covering the punnet with a clear lid or plastic bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture. These seeds like to remain consistently moist

Seeds begin to germinate in 14 to 30 days approx.

Pot on seedlings to harden off and mature before finally planting out in the garden.

However if the seeds are shy to germinate – then wrap the sown moist punnet in cling wrap, and place in the fridge for 4-6 weeks to break their natural dormancy.
Then remove from fridge and return to the warm, well-lit position.
These plants are native to regions with cold winters.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve).

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