Plant profile: Calandrinia spectabilis

Latin name: Calandrinia spectabilis ("kal-an-DRIN-ee-ah spek-TAB-ill-iss") (aka C. grandiflora)
Common name: Rock Purslane
Originally from: Chile
Blooms: Bright fuchsia flowers wave on thin stems above the foliage all through the year.
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Rain is plenty. No summer water!
Height x width: 15" x 4'
Zones: 8-10
Where to find in P. Garden: We've edged the outer border with cuttings, and a couple big clumps thrive along the cactus wall.

I can't believe I haven't profiled this plant yet. I wanted some for so long, finally found out what it was, begged for cuttings from Deborah, and finally they have taken off. Goodness me, have they ever taken off...

With zero water, and planted by stuffing fresh cuttings in the rocky dirt, the plants have gone on to smother several large-ish Agaves in their vicinity on the cactus wall. It's almost frightening... I half expect to wake up at night to see a happy little Calandrinia trying to sprout roots at the foot of my bed... We took a load of cuttings and placed them along the outer edge of the garden, and even in that baked environment they're taking off.

Lovely succulent blue-green leaves mound up, and magenta flowers that look like 2" poppies opening in waves from Spring onwards are held high above the plant on thin, wiry stems. This plant requires no care, but in the dead of winter you can cut it back to 6" if you like, for a tidier springtime display.

And the cuttings you have left over? Give them to neighbors, poke them in rock wall nooks and crannies, and spread the love. Why are they called Rock Purslane? Because they rock. I don't know about the Purslane part.