{"product_id":"surprise-rose-moss-portulaca-oleracea-surprise","title":"Surprise Rose Moss - Portulaca oleracea 'Surprise'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSurprise Rose Moss (\u003cem\u003ePortulaca oleracea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Surprise') is a fast growing succulent for hot, dry, sunny places, reaching about 30cm high and 40cm wide. The name is honest: most plants flower golden yellow or scarlet red, but you will not know which until each one blooms, and a few turn out to be something else. It flowers from tube size, so the colour shows early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA colour lottery.\u003c\/strong\u003e Most plants flower golden yellow or scarlet red, while the rest are a true surprise, so a group of plants can look pleasingly different from each other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers from tube size.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plants start blooming while still small, so you see the colour early and do not wait for a mature plant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThrives on neglect.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, and it grows in poor soil, so it suits spots that dry out between rains.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick and effortless.\u003c\/strong\u003e A fast growing mat of fleshy leaves fills pots and gaps without fuss, with little watering once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCup shaped flowers all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The five-petalled blooms appear through the year and peak in spring and summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHanging baskets and deck pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A basket or pot in full sun shows off the spreading habit. Several plants in one container give a patchwork of yellow and red.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and waterwise gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart among rocks and gravel. Reflected heat and sharp drainage suit it, and the mixed colours look natural against stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and balcony pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat and salt tolerance and modest water needs make it a practical choice for hot balconies and pots around a pool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant at the front of a sunny bed for informal, cheerful colour with no colour scheme to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Surprise Rose Moss in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep it in a sunny position for at least part of the day, and full sun gives the strongest flowering. It is frost tender, so frost free subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens suit it best. In colder districts, grow it in a pot and move it under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil is the main need, and poor ground is fine. It tolerates salty soil as well, so it works near the coast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water until established, usually around 12 weeks, then only when the soil is dry or the leaves start to shrink. A little extra water in hot, sunny sites keeps flowering strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e There is no routine pruning. Trim leggy stems back lightly to keep the plant dense, and tidy spent growth as it appears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Surprise Rose Moss as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Each plant is a little different, so no two are guaranteed to flower the same colour. Plant it into free draining soil or a sunny pot soon after it arrives and water it in. Because it flowers from tube size, you may see the first colour quickly in warm weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/succulents-for-hot-climates\"\u003eSucculents for hot climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003ePlants for poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-balconies\"\u003ePlants for balconies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-world-of-succulents-a-must-have-guide-for-garden-lovers\"\u003eA complete succulent care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I choose the colour?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Most plants flower golden yellow or scarlet red, but each plant is a surprise, and you will see the colour once it flowers. If you need a particular colour for a design, choose a named variety instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly for the first 12 weeks or so while it establishes, then only when the soil is dry or the leaves begin to shrink. A little more water in hot, sunny positions keeps it flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot through frost. In a frost free garden it can carry on, but in cold districts keep it in a pot and bring it indoors to keep it warm, or treat it as a summer plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789628637503,"sku":"POR-OLE-SURPRI-tube","price":12.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/surprise-rose-moss-portulaca-oleracea-surprise.jpg?v=1792191882","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/surprise-rose-moss-portulaca-oleracea-surprise","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}