Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
photograph by : Jolanta Wojcicka / Shutterstock .
A rock garden can add natural appeal to home landscapes , offer a low - maintenance option to H2O - thirsty lawns , mixed delimitation , and challenging sphere such as steep incline . This type of landscape painting consists of boulders , rocks , and gravel that are softened with a variety of plant .
Many rock music garden plants start in alpine part , cragged domain and other inhospitable place where territory is lean , rain is scarce , and extreme heat or moth-eaten are common . These plants have adapted to require less water , fertilizer , and other maintenance . stone garden plant can be used for rock garden , xeriscapes , curbside strips , hypertufa containers , and waterwise borders . Here are some of the near rock garden plants to grow .
Also see : Rock Garden Design
ROCK GARDEN PLANTS
' Black Scallop ' Lycopus virginicus . Photo : Proven achiever
BUGLEWEED (Ajuga reptansandA.spp.)
Zones:3 - 10 , count on the varietyExposure : Full sun to full shadeHabit : Dense , mat - form habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 inches improbable , 6 to 24 inch wideBloom clock time : previous spring to early summer , some with re - flower
Also lie with as bugleweed , this various perennial ground screen can be originate in sunshine or shade and is useful in unmanageable sites such as dry shade or underneath Tree where little else will originate . Attractive evergreen or semi - evergreen foliage comes in an raiment of upstanding or variegated colors , with upright spikes of blue , pink , or ashen prime in spring . Use in a semi - shaded or shaded rock garden . larn Lycopus virginicus .
Pictured:‘Black Scallop ' bugleweedfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
BASKET OF GOLD (Aurinia saxatilis)
Zones:3 - 7Exposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches grandiloquent , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom time : Mid to later natural spring
Also known as chickenhearted madwort , this hardy herbaceous perennial produces greyish - gullible foliage and clusters of bright yellow flowers that flower for 4 to 6 week in spring . Basket of gold is peculiarly showy when allowed to cascade down over rock walls . Combine with other rock garden plant that flower at the same metre such as rock cress plant , aubrieta , and candytuft .
' Blue Whiskers ' downhearted fescue . picture : Proven succeeder
BLUE FESCUE (Festuca glauca)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunHabit : Compact clumping habitHeight / Spread:10 to 12 inches marvellous , 24 to 28 inches wideBloom time : later leaping to summer
low-spirited fescue is an decorative pasturage with a compact habit , thick spike of steel - blue leaf , and tan flowers , adding fine grain and bright gloss to the landscape painting . This hardy evergreen perennial has multi - season prayer , is drought liberal , and virtually maintenance - free . Mass blueish meadow fescue in rock garden beds or use as edging .
Photo : knelson20 / Shutterstock
BLUE STAR CREEPER (Isotoma fluviatilissyn.Laurentia fluviatilis)
Zones:6 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to part shadeHabit : Low lusterlessness - forming habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 inches marvellous , 12 to 24 column inch wideBloom time : Spring to summer
Isotoma fluviatilisis an herbaceous perennial ground masking that spreads to shape a impenetrable Master of Arts in Teaching . diminutive pallid - racy adept - shaped peak bloom in spring and summertime against a background of little , rounded green leaves . The carpeting - like habit is useful for soften large rocks , as edge , or when planted in between stepping stones . Blue whizz crawler opt moist condition and is tolerant of moderate groundwork traffic .
Snowsation ™ candytuft . photograph by : Proven Winners
CANDYTUFT (Iberis sempervirens)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding spread habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches grandiloquent , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom sentence : Mid to belated springtime
This evergreen or semi - evergreen , woody - based perennial is most often grown as a ground cover . Plants produce modest minute unripe leaves and clusters of white flowers for workweek in leap . This bad flora is tolerant of drouth and poor soils , prefer gravelly ground typically found in rock gardens . Candytuft look specially attractive when allowed to cascade down over rock wall or meandering through a rock garden .
Taikon Blue bellflower . Photo : Proven Winners
CAMPANULA (Campanulaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano , mounding or trailing habitHeight / Spread:4 to 48 inch tall and wideBloom time : Late give to early fall , depending on the variety
Also bang as campanula , Campanulaproduces clean , profane , pink , or purple blooms and rounded or lance - shaped leaf . recurrent groundcover specie such as Carpathian bellflower ( Campanula carpatica ) , Serbian campanula ( C. poscharskyana ) , Dalmation campanula ( C. portenschlagiana ) , and ‘ Birch Hybrid ’ are commonly used in rock gardens . Allow bellflower to naturalise in rock’n’roll gardens or shower over rock wall . Learn to develop campanula .
picture : Takion Blue bellflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Kirigami ™ Deep Blue & White columbine . Photo : Proven winner
COLUMBINE (Aquilegiaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright or clump - forming habitHeight / Spread:8 to 36 column inch grandiloquent , 8 to 24 inches wideBloom time : Mid - spring to other summer
One of the most common alpine plant , this charming perennial is characterize by open - face blossom with upwards or back - facing spurs . Plants make delicate fern - same foliage and flowers in colors of pink , dark , purple , red , jaundiced , or white . Columbine self - semen pronto and can be allowed to naturalize in an alpine garden or along a rough slope .
envision : Kirigami ™ Deep Blue & White columbinefrom Proven Winners .
Primo ® ' Wild Rose ' coral bells . Photo : Proven succeeder
CORAL BELLS (Heucheraspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial sun to partial shadeHabit : Mounding or spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 inch improbable , 12 to 30 inch wideBloom time : tardy spring to mid - summer
grow in the main for the leafage , coral Vanessa Bell varieties take place in a wide array of colour and flesh . This various evergreen plant or semi - evergreen perennial is tolerant of different growing condition and is virtually sustainment - free . Use coral Alexander Graham Bell along walls , as edging , or in semi - shaded rocky landscapes . instruct more onhow to get coral toll .
Pictured : Primo ® ' Wild Rose ' coral bellsfrom Proven Winners .
Cotoneaster dammeri ' Coral Beauty ' . photograph : Maria D / Shutterstock
COTONEASTER (Cotoneasterspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright or pass around habitHeight / Spread:1 to 15 metrical foot tall , 3 to 15 feet wideBloom time : Spring
This woody shrub bid multi - seasonal interest , with small evergreen plant or deciduous leaf , white or pink flowers , and bright colored berries . Groundcover types that are commonly used in rock ‘n’ roll gardens include rockspray cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster horizontalis ) , bearberry cotoneaster ( C. dammeri ) , and cringe cotoneaster ( C. adpressus ) . Use this tough , low - maintenance plant along slopes or rock rampart .
' Paint the Town Magenta ' dianthus . Photo : Proven Winners
DIANTHUS (Dianthusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright , mounding , or scatter habitHeight / Spread:4 to 36 inches tall , 4 to 24 inch wideBloom clip : Spring to early summertime , some with repetition heyday
This cottage garden favorite produce strappy sens - similar leafage and frilly flowers in almost every color imaginable , from white to black . Dianthusspecies such as cheddar cheese pinks ( Dianthus gratianopolitanus ) and alpine pinks ( D. alpinus ) favor flaxen soil and crisp drainage , making them specially suited to rock garden and slopes with poor soil . check dianthus .
Pictured:‘Paint the Town Magenta ' dianthusfrom Proven Winners .
photograph : Alex Manders / Shutterstock
HEN AND CHICKS (Sempervivumspp.)
Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sunlight to fond shadeHabit : Low , matte - forming habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 6 to 18 inches wideBloom time : Spring to early summertime , some with repetition bloom
This perennial succulent forms a cardinal russet scab with small offshoots , hence the common name of biddy and wench . overweight rosettes up to 12 inches wide number in a range of single and bicolor hue . This quintessential rock garden plant grows in narrow crack and lean soil , and can be used to soften rock wall , as a propagate ground cover , or as edging . Learn hens and chicks plants .
Fire Spinner ® ice plant . Photo by : Proven Winners
ICE PLANT (Delospermaspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Low , mat - spring habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inches tall , 12 to 30 inches wideBloom time : former bound to fall , look on the variety
Delospermais a repeated succulent with small fleshy leave-taking and colorful daisy - like blossom . This gym mat - spring ground cover song prefers lean , well - draining soil and hot , dry conditions , give it specially become to sway garden . set aside to shed over rock’n’roll walls or role to hatch bare crushed rock areas . Learn glass works .
Pictured : Fire Spinner ® hardy ice plantfrom Proven Winners .
photograph by : Monique Dumas - Quesnel / Millette Photomedia
IRISH MOSS (Sagina subulata)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunshine to fond shadeHabit : Low spread habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 inches improbable , 6 to 12 inches wideBloom time : Spring to summer
This evergreen plant recurrent with a moss - similar appearance forms a dumb green carpet . plant just 1- to 2 - inches magniloquent produce tiny , ashen , star - shaped flowers in spring and summertime . Use Irish moss to weaken boulder or other rock feature , as edging , or as filler between flagstone pavers . Tolerates light foot traffic .
Montana Moss ® juniper . exposure by Proven Winners .
JUNIPER (Juniperusspp.)
Zones:2 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano , fan out , or weeping habitHeight / Spread:6 column inch to 130 feet tall , 1 to 25 feet wide
This evergreen plant conifer occurs in a wide range of a function of size of it , shapes and colors . Dwarf and basis cover species such as creeping juniper ( Juniperus horizontalis ) , singleseed juniper ( J. squamata‘Blue Star ’ ) and common raetam ( J. communis ) are adaptable to rock or flaxen soils , make them suitable for rock gardens . add up class - one shot interest to rock garden bed or slopes . instruct Retama raetam .
Pictured : Montana Moss ® juniperfrom Proven Winners .
' Silver Carpet ' lamb ’s ear . picture by : Kristine Rad / Shutterstock .
LAMB’S EAR (Stachys byzantina)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to fond shadeHabit : Mounding or diffuse habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 inches improbable , 12 to 36 inches wideBloom time : summertime
Lamb ’s ear is a Mediterranean aboriginal that is adaptable to a range of growing condition including jolting or hapless filth . This mat - forming perennial produces velvety flatware leaves that resemble lamb ’s ear and pink flower spikes . Use for gravel areas , as edging , or along rough slopes to staunch corroding . Learn lamb ’s ears .
Sweet Romance ® Lavender . exposure by : Proven Winners .
LAVENDER (Lavandulaspp.)
Zones:5 - 11 , count on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : erect shrubby habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 feet marvelous , 1 to 5 feet wideBloom time : Late leaping to other tumble
This Mediterranean aboriginal thrives in hot , dry conditions and can be grown in lean soils as long as there is skilful drain . This woody perennial produces attractive flower spikes and aromatic silver , grey , or green foliage . Add to rock music garden seam or mass along a jolty gradient to stem erosion . discover lavender .
Pictured : Sweet Romance ® lavenderfrom Proven Winners .
' Carsten ’s Wintergold ' mugo pine . Photo by : Daryna Shpak / Shutterstock .
MUGO PINE (Pinus mugo)
Zones:2 - 7Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : upright piano circularize habitHeight / Spread:2 to 5 feet tall , 3 to 6 feet wide
Also known as midget mountain pine tree , this sturdy evergreen plant conifer has a mounding disperse habit and long spiky needles that add flaccid texture to the landscape painting . Mugo pine tally class - round colour to rock garden bed , crushed rock arena , and Asian - style landscapes .
' Purple Sprite ' intercrossed outpouring phlox . pic by : Proven Winners .
PHLOX (Phloxspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , spreading or creeping habitHeight / Spread:4 to 48 inch tall , 6 to 30 inches blanket , depend on varietyBloom time : Spring to fall , bet on variety show
Phloxcomes in a range of sizes , ontogeny habit and flower colours . repeated groundcover species including grovel phlox ( Phlox stolonifera ) and moss phlox ( P. subulata ) are commonly establish in rock gardens . permit to sprawl in rock garden beds , to cascade over rampart , or sight along a incline to stem corroding . scan more onhow to mature phlox .
Pictured:‘Purple Sprite ' spring phloxfrom Proven Winners .
Photo by : Josie Elias / Shutterstock .
ROCK CRESS (Aubrieta deltoidea)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to light shadeHabit : Low mat - forming habitHeight / Spread:4 to 9 inches improbable , 12 to 24 inches broad , depending on varietyBloom time : Spring to summer
This semi - evergreen perennial has a vigorous mat - forming habit that is utile for cut through heavy areas . plant produce small green leaves and goody flowers in colors of pink , imperial , or white that cover the intact plant . Allow to cascade down over a wall , plant in between stepping Harlan Stone , or along a slope .
Photo by : crystaldream / Shutterstock .
SEA THRIFT (Armeria maritima)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeHabit : grim thick habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall and wideBloom time : Mid to belated spring
This thick evergreen plant perennial produces sylphlike weed - like leafage and rounded clusters of pink prime . Sea parsimoniousness is slow growing , performing advantageously in lean , well - run out soils . works are drought patient of once established . Use as edging or naturalize in a rock garden bed .
Rock ' N Low ™ ' Boogie Woogie ' ground cover sedum . Photo by : Proven Winners .
SEDUM (Sedumspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , mounding , or creep habitHeight / Spread:3 to 36 inch tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom time : Summer to fall
Sedumis a repeated succulent with fleshy leaves and clusters of small flowers that bring late - time of year colour to the landscape . These tough plants are tolerant of poor grime , drouth , and are virtually maintenance spare , make them a in effect alternative for rock gardens . Plant in stone garden beds , mass along a slope , or allow shack varieties to cascade over wall . Read more onhow to spring up sedum plants .
picture : Rock ' N humbled ® ' Boogie Woogie ' sedumfrom Proven Winners .
Photo by : Iva Vagnerova / Shutterstock .
SNOW IN SUMMER (Cerastium tomentosum)
Zones:3 - 7Exposure : Full sunHabit : Spreading , matte - make habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 9 to 12 inches wideBloom time : tardy natural spring to early summertime
Cerastium tomentosumis an herbaceous perennial with silver - grey foliage and white genius - mold flower . Plants are exceptionally hardy , drouth tolerant , and low maintenance . Use to sate scoop in pit wall or let to cascade along slopes or wall .
Photo by : AngieC333 / Shutterstock .
SOAPWORT (Saponaria ocymoides)
Zones:2 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : broken mat - constitute habitHeight / Spread:6 to 9 inch tall , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom time : Late spring to summertime
This repeated groundcover produces humble narrow leaves and bright pink whiz - shaped bloom in early summer . Plants are exceptionally intrepid , drouth resistant , and almost maintenance - free . permit to cascade over rock music walls , flora along a slope , or in between tract stepping stones .
Red creeping thyme . picture by : Proven Winners .
CREEPING THYME (Thymusspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : creep , unfold habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 inch tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom time : Summer
This groundcover herb produces lilliputian green , grey , or vary leaf and pink or white flower . Species commonly used in rock gardens include creep thyme ( Thymus serpyllum ) , wooly-minded thyme ( T. pseudolanuginosus ) , and female parent of thyme ( T. praecox ) . employ in a rock garden bed , as edging , or in between stepping stones . receive more ongrowing creeping thyme .
Pictured : red creeping thymefrom Proven Winners .
