Great Rock Garden Plants for Beginners

If you are just lead off out , it is leisurely to become overwhelmed by the variety of rock - garden works uncommitted . However , many classic stone - garden plants are usable in option garden center across North America . Here are some of the most adaptable , which can serve as the impulsion for you to launch your new tilt garden . Most of these option quell fairly summary , under 6 to 12 inches tall and extensive , and unless otherwise noted will thrive in full Lord’s Day and well - drain dirt .

1. Pinks (Dianthusspp. and cvs., Zones 4–9)

There are many tiny , shock - forming treasures in this genus that are not impossible to detect . ‘ Tiny ruby ’ ( pictured ) is an especially striking shape of American cheese pinko ( D. gratianopolitanus ) .

2. Wall cress (Aubrietaspp. and cvs., Zones 4–8)

wondrous mats of beautifully model russet scab are smothered for weeks in saltation with bright reddish blue , blue , or pinkish flower .

3. Mountain gold (Alyssum montanum, Zones 4–9)

Finely textured silverish mats are obscured for week in April and May with the bright yellow flowers .

4. Rock Cress (Arabisspp. and cvs., Zones 4–7)

Several coinage of rock ‘n’ roll cress are occasionally available ( all are excellent ) , althoughA. caucasica(pictured ) is most usual . livid or sometimes pink blossom cover a mound of sunnily pleated evergreen rosettes .

5. Sea thrift (Armeria maritima, Zones 4–8)

shaggy-haired mounds of narrow-minded dark-green leaves produce a prospicient taking over of flower clusters in many subtlety of pinkish and white .

6. Geranium (Geraniumspp. and cvs, Zones 3–8)

Smaller forms such asG. dalmaticumorG. cinereum(pictured ) are frequently sold in nurseries . Their fall foliage , tinted with orange and scarlet , is almost as showy as the blue or pink give blooms .

7. Bellflower (Campanulaspp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)

Many bellfowers are far too large for rock garden , butC. portenshlagiana(pictured ) andC. garganicalove rocks and walls . These diminutive coinage make mats of bright evergreen , ivy - scalloped leaf that are hidden in early summer by violet - blue efflorescence .

8. Pussytoes (Antennariaspp. and cvs., Zones 5–8)

compressed silvern white mats of rosettes make for an idealistic plant between paving stones and a foil for greenish - leave plants in the rock ‘n’ roll garden .

9. Dwarf bearded iris (Irispumilacvs. Zones 3–10)

There are countless bulbous and woodland irises that are available for rock music gardens , but dwarf whiskery irises like ‘ Cherry Garden ’ ( see ) are peculiarly beautiful among rocks . Their overgenerous bloom season makes up in gusto for its rather unforesightful continuance , and the spear - like foliage makes a good dividing line to the dominant mounds and mats of rock gardens .

10. Creeping phlox (Phloxsubulataand cvs., Zones 3–9)

Few plant life are more wide available ( or care for ) than our native phlox . They may only bloom for a few weeks , but the bright dark-green mats of foliage are never more beautiful than when tumble among sway .

11. Primula (Primulaspp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)

better grown in fond shade , this genus was practically designed for rock gardens . Common primrose(P. vulgaris ) , oxlip ( P. elatior ) , and cowslip ( P. veris , pictured ) are wonderful performer in rock gardens .

12. Penstemon (Penstemonspp. and cvs., Zones 3–9)

This tremendous genus of North American natives is full of illumination , although nurseries mostly stock larger plant . Look for pineleaf penstemon ( P. pinifolius ) or hairy genus Penstemon ( P. hirsutus , Zones 4–8 , pictured ) , which both bloom for a long stretch in early summer .

Panayoti Kelaidis is the aged conservator and manager of outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens .

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