'Little Plum' and 'Little Peach' Lewisia

I went to a meeting of the Essex branch of the A.G.S. last thursday.They have a mini show there each meeting of whatever is in flower.There was a chap there who brought some of his own Lewisias.Magnificent specimens,although he said those that he grew in the garden lasted longer than the ones he mollycoddles.

He is lucky to be able to grow them in the garden at all,they rot with me unless they are on there side.
Having said that away from the soggy West it may be a different ball game.

That is interesting Pcw but if they are outside like mine have been all winter they should be tougher plants than those in a greenhouse. I planted them well tucked under the stones so that the water could not collect in the heart of the foliage but could run away out. Wet rot is supposed to be a killer for them. Where they grow in the wild they are covered in snow in winter and that will act like a cosy blanket and keep the rain off them. Does the chap grow his as Brian says on their side which will not be necessary under cover. There are lots of buds on mine still to open so I thank you for a lovely gift.

I mentioned about growing them on there side,but I think his are upright.The ones inside for showing are fed,only bonemeal,but are obviously not as tough as those outside.

I've a lot to learn.

I wonder, could they be grown on furrows, so excess water ran off, or am I being dense?
I was thinking that stones could still be lain down the slope of the trough, leaving the roots dry-ish, but still cool.
Feel free to take me to task, if the idea is wide of the mark.
P.s. the furrow could be small.
P.p.s. Love your display, Scotsgran!

I think they do not like to get water running in to the heart of the plant. If the rain fell on the leaves of an upright growing plant it would run in to the heart and then it can't escape. The plant would rot. Maybe the water would freeze and rot the plant in the winter. I think lots of alpines are like that which is why we are told to use a piece of glass or something similar as a winter bonnet to prevent the water killing them. The roots are quite safe in the ground as long as it will drain excess water away. I'm not sure if you can see the plant is planted, almost lying down, tipped over. It took me a few goes to get it to sit that way.

I'll have to transplant a few of the local foxes to your garden.
One night of them delving for insects & your plants will all grow at the required angle. Lol