Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
pic by : Jolanta Wojcicka / Shutterstock .
A rock candy garden can tally lifelike appealingness to home landscapes , offering a low - maintenance choice to H2O - thirsty lawn , mixed margin , and intriguing area such as steep slopes . This type of landscape painting consists of boulders , rocks , and gravel that are softened with a sort of plants .
Many careen garden plants originate in alpine region , mountainous areas and other inhospitable places where soil is thin , rainfall is scarce , and extreme heat or cold are vulgar . These plants have adapted to require less body of water , fertilizer , and other maintenance . Rock garden plants can be used for rockeries , xeriscapes , curbside strip , hypertufa container , and waterwise borders . Here are some of the respectable John Rock garden plants to originate .
Also see : Rock Garden Design
ROCK GARDEN PLANTS
' Black Scallop ' bugleweed . exposure : Proven Winners
BUGLEWEED (Ajuga reptansandA.spp.)
Zones:3 - 10 , count on the varietyExposure : Full sun to full shadeHabit : Dense , lustrelessness - forming habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 inches tall , 6 to 24 inches wideBloom meter : recent spring to former summertime , some with re - bloom
Also known as Lycopus virginicus , this various recurrent ground cover can be grown in sun or shade and is useful in unmanageable sites such as ironical wraith or underneath trees where little else will arise . Attractive evergreen or semi - evergreen foliation comes in an array of solid or variegated colours , with upright spike of puritanic , pink , or white flowers in springiness . Use in a semi - shaded or shaded rock garden . Learn bugleweed .
Pictured:‘Black Scallop ' bugleweedfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
BASKET OF GOLD (Aurinia saxatilis)
Zones:3 - 7Exposure : Full sunHabit : mound spread habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom meter : Mid to late spring
Also known as yellow alyssum , this hardy herbaceous perennial produce gray - green leaf and clusters of bright yellow efflorescence that flower for 4 to 6 week in leap . Basket of gold is especially showy when let to cascade over rock bulwark . Combine with other rock garden plant that bloom at the same time such as rock-and-roll cress , aubrieta , and candytuft .
' Blue Whiskers ' blue fescue grass . pic : Proven Winners
BLUE FESCUE (Festuca glauca)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunHabit : Compact clumping habitHeight / Spread:10 to 12 inches tall , 24 to 28 inch wideBloom time : recent springtime to summertime
dispirited Festuca elatior is an ornamental grass with a compact habit , dumb spikes of brand - downhearted foliage , and tan flowers , adding all right texture and brilliant color to the landscape painting . This hardy evergreen plant perennial has multi - time of year appeal , is drouth broad , and virtually sustentation - spare . Mass blue meadow fescue in rock garden beds or use as edging .
photograph : knelson20 / Shutterstock
BLUE STAR CREEPER (Isotoma fluviatilissyn.Laurentia fluviatilis)
Zones:6 - 8Exposure : Full sun to part shadeHabit : Low flatness - form habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 inches tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom meter : Spring to summertime
Isotoma fluviatilisis an herbaceous perennial ground natural covering that spreads to forge a slow matting . Tiny pale - blue star - shaped flowers blossom in spring and summertime against a backcloth of small , rounded green leaves . The carpeting - like habit is useful for softening large rocks , as edging , or when imbed in between stepping stones . risque star creeper opt moist conditions and is kind of temperate foot traffic .
Snowsation ™ candytuft . Photo by : Proven succeeder
CANDYTUFT (Iberis sempervirens)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inch grandiloquent , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom clip : Mid to late spring
This evergreen plant or semi - evergreen , woody - establish perennial is most often uprise as a priming coat cover song . Plants bring forth small narrow green leaves and clusters of white flowers for weeks in spring . This elusive plant is patient of of drought and poor grunge , prefer gravelly soil typically found in rock and roll gardens . Candytuft search specially attractive when allow to cascade over rock and roll walls or meandering through a rock garden .
Taikon disconsolate bellflower . pic : Proven Winners
CAMPANULA (Campanulaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to partial shadeHabit : vertical , mounding or give chase habitHeight / Spread:4 to 48 inches tall and wideBloom time : Late spring to early fall , depending on the kind
Also known as bellflower , Campanulaproduces livid , blue , pink , or purple peak and rounded or spear - regulate foliage . repeated groundcover species such as Carpathian bellflower ( Campanula carpatica ) , Serbian bellflower ( C. poscharskyana ) , Dalmation bellflower ( C. portenschlagiana ) , and ‘ Birch Hybrid ’ are commonly used in stone garden . Allow campanula to naturalize in sway garden or cascade over rock walls . Learn to grow bellflower .
Pictured : Takion Blue bellflowerfrom Proven Winners .
Kirigami ™ Deep Blue & White columbine . Photo : Proven winner
COLUMBINE (Aquilegiaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to fond shadeHabit : Upright or ball - forming habitHeight / Spread:8 to 36 inches grandiloquent , 8 to 24 inch wideBloom clock time : Mid - saltation to early summertime
One of the most vulgar alpine plant , this charming perennial is characterized by assailable - faced flower with upwards or back - face spurs . industrial plant produce ticklish fern - like foliage and flowers in colors of pinkish , down in the mouth , violet , red , yellow , or lily-white . Columbine self - seminal fluid readily and can be allow to cultivate in an alpine garden or along a jolty slope .
picture : Kirigami ™ Deep Blue & White columbinefrom Proven Winners .
Primo ® ' Wild Rose ' coral campana . Photo : Proven Winners
CORAL BELLS (Heucheraspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : fond Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : mound or propagate habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 inches tall , 12 to 30 inches wideBloom fourth dimension : Late spring to mid - summer
Grown primarily for the foliage , coral Bell smorgasbord occur in a wide raiment of colors and shape . This versatile evergreen or semi - evergreen perennial is tolerant of unlike grow stipulation and is virtually maintenance - detached . expend coral bell along walls , as edging , or in semi - shaded rocky landscape . Learn more onhow to arise coral bell .
see : Primo ® ' Wild Rose ' precious coral bellsfrom Proven Winners .
Cotoneaster dammeri ' Coral Beauty ' . Photo : Maria D / Shutterstock
COTONEASTER (Cotoneasterspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright or spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 15 feet tall , 3 to 15 feet wideBloom time : outflow
This woody shrub offer multi - seasonal interest group , with little evergreen plant or deciduous leave , white or pink efflorescence , and brightly color in berries . Groundcover case that are normally used in rock’n’roll gardens let in rockspray cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster horizontalis ) , bearberry cotoneaster ( C. dammeri ) , and creep cotoneaster ( C. adpressus ) . Use this hard , low - maintenance plant along slope or tilt walls .
' Paint the Town Magenta ' dianthus . Photo : Proven success
DIANTHUS (Dianthusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : vertical , mounding , or go around habitHeight / Spread:4 to 36 inch marvelous , 4 to 24 inches wideBloom time : give to early summertime , some with repeat bloom
This cottage garden front-runner raise strappy grass - corresponding foliage and frilly flowers in nearly every color conceivable , from white to blackness . Dianthusspecies such as Armerican cheddar pinks ( Dianthus gratianopolitanus ) and alpine pinks ( D. alpinus ) prefer sandlike soil and penetrative drainage , make them especially suited to rock garden and slopes with poor stain . acquire dianthus .
Pictured:‘Paint the Town Magenta ' dianthusfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Alex Manders / Shutterstock
HEN AND CHICKS (Sempervivumspp.)
Zones:4 - 10Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Low , mat - forming habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches improbable , 6 to 18 inches wideBloom time : Spring to early summertime , some with repetition bloom
This perennial succulent forms a central rosette with smaller offshoots , hence the common name of hen and biddy . Fleshy rosettes up to 12 inches across-the-board come in a range of single and bicolor hues . This quintessential rock garden plant grows in narrow crevices and lean filth , and can be used to soften rock bulwark , as a spreading footing book binding , or as edging . Learn hens and chick plant .
Fire Spinner ® ice plant . photograph by : Proven Winners
ICE PLANT (Delospermaspp.)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : scummy , lustrelessness - forming habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inches tall , 12 to 30 in wideBloom time : Late leap to return , depending on the variety
Delospermais a perennial succulent with small sarcoid leaves and colorful daisy - like bloom . This matt - forming ground cover prefers lean , well - drain grease and hot , wry conditions , have it especially suited to tilt garden . Allow to spill over rock walls or consumption to cover up plain crushed rock domain . memorise frosting industrial plant .
Pictured : Fire Spinner ® audacious ice plantfrom Proven Winners .
exposure by : Monique Dumas - Quesnel / Millette Photomedia
IRISH MOSS (Sagina subulata)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : depleted spread habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 in tall , 6 to 12 inches wideBloom time : Spring to summer
This evergreen plant repeated with a moss - alike appearance forms a dumb light-green carpet . Plants just 1- to 2 - inches improbable produce tiny , snowy , wiz - shaped flowers in spring and summer . apply Irish moss to yield boulders or other rock features , as edging , or as filler between flagstone pavers . Tolerates light foot traffic .
Montana Moss ® juniper . Photo by Proven Winners .
JUNIPER (Juniperusspp.)
Zones:2 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , disperse , or cry habitHeight / Spread:6 column inch to 130 feet improbable , 1 to 25 feet wide
This evergreen plant coniferous tree occurs in a wide mountain range of sizes , shapes and colors . Dwarf and priming cover species such as creeping Genista raetam ( Juniperus horizontalis ) , singleseed juniper bush ( J. squamata‘Blue Star ’ ) and mutual juniper ( J. communis ) are adaptable to careen or sandy soils , making them worthy for rock gardens . summate twelvemonth - round interest to rock garden bed or slopes . study junipers .
visualize : Montana Moss ® juniperfrom Proven Winners .
' Silver Carpet ' lamb ’s ear . photograph by : Kristine Rad / Shutterstock .
LAMB’S EAR (Stachys byzantina)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Mounding or unfold habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 in tall , 12 to 36 inches wideBloom clock time : summertime
Lamb ’s pinna is a Mediterranean native that is adaptable to a range of growing conditions including rough or short soil . This mat - forming perennial produces velvety silver leaves that resemble lamb ’s ears and pink flower spikes . utilize for gravel areas , as edging , or along rocky slopes to halt eroding . Learn lamb ’s ears .
Sweet Romance ® Lavender . pic by : Proven Winners .
LAVENDER (Lavandulaspp.)
Zones:5 - 11 , depending on varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright shrubby habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 base tall , 1 to 5 feet wideBloom metre : Late spring to other surrender
This Mediterranean native thrives in hot , dry condition and can be grown in lean soil as long as there is dependable drainage . This woody perennial produces attractive flower spindle and redolent silver , grey , or dark-green foliage . Add to John Rock garden bed or hoi polloi along a rough gradient to stanch eating away . get word lavender .
image : 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 fond shadeHabit : vertical diffuse habitHeight / Spread:2 to 5 feet marvellous , 3 to 6 feet wide
Also known as dwarf spate pine , this hardy evergreen plant conifer has a mounding spread wont and foresighted spiky needle that contribute balmy texture to the landscape . Mugo pine tree adds year - round colour to rock garden beds , crushed rock area , and Asiatic - vogue landscapes .
' Purple Sprite ' intercrossed leaping phlox . Photo by : Proven Winners .
PHLOX (Phloxspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , spreading or cringe habitHeight / Spread:4 to 48 inch improbable , 6 to 30 inch encompassing , depending on varietyBloom fourth dimension : Spring to hang , depending on variety
Phloxcomes in a range of size , growth habit and flower colors . Perennial groundcover species including creeping phlox ( Phlox stolonifera ) and moss phlox ( P. subulata ) are commonly planted in sway gardens . Allow to sprawl in John Rock garden bed , to cascade over walls , or mass along a slope to stem erosion . say more onhow to grow phlox .
Pictured:‘Purple Sprite ' spring phloxfrom Proven Winners .
exposure by : Josie Elias / Shutterstock .
ROCK CRESS (Aubrieta deltoidea)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full Sunday to faint shadeHabit : Low mat - forming habitHeight / Spread:4 to 9 inches tall , 12 to 24 inches panoptic , calculate on varietyBloom time : springtime to summer
This semi - evergreen perennial has a vigorous mat - forming substance abuse that is useful for cover big areas . Plants develop small-scale green leaves and dainty heyday in colors of pinkish , purple , or white that cover the entire plant . Allow to cascade over a wall , plant in between stepping stones , or along a slope .
exposure by : crystaldream / Shutterstock .
SEA THRIFT (Armeria maritima)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Sunday to partial shadeHabit : gloomy compact habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inch grandiloquent and wideBloom time : Mid to late spring
This stocky evergreen perennial produces slender sess - like leafage and rounded cluster of pinkish peak . Sea thrift is irksome rise , perform best in thin , well - drained soil . plant life are drouth tolerant once established . Use as edging or naturalise in a rock music garden bed .
Rock ' N Low ™ ' Boogie Woogie ' groundcover sedum . Photo by : Proven Winners .
SEDUM (Sedumspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , mounding , or creeping habitHeight / Spread:3 to 36 inches tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom time : Summer to return
Sedumis a perennial succulent with fleshy leaf and clump of belittled heyday that add former - season color to the landscape . These sturdy plants are large-minded of inadequate soils , drouth , and are about alimony detached , making them a good choice for rock garden . Plant in rock garden beds , masses along a incline , or allow dog varieties to shower over walls . translate more onhow to grow sedum plants .
Pictured : Rock ' N downhearted ® ' Boogie Woogie ' sedumfrom Proven Winners .
photograph by : Iva Vagnerova / Shutterstock .
SNOW IN SUMMER (Cerastium tomentosum)
Zones:3 - 7Exposure : Full sunHabit : Spreading , mat - forming habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 9 to 12 inches wideBloom clip : Late spring to early summertime
genus Cerastium tomentosumis an herbaceous perennial with silver - gray foliage and white star - shape bloom . Plants are exceptionally hardy , drouth patient of , and grim maintenance . Use to occupy pockets in stone walls or allow to cascade along slopes or walls .
picture by : AngieC333 / Shutterstock .
SOAPWORT (Saponaria ocymoides)
Zones:2 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : low-spirited flatness - form habitHeight / Spread:6 to 9 in tall , 12 to 24 inches wideBloom prison term : Late spring to summertime
This repeated groundcover produce little narrow leaves and burnished pink star - shaped flower in other summertime . Plants are exceptionally hardy , drouth resistive , and virtually alimony - free . Allow to cascade down over rock and roll walls , plant along a slope , or in between tract step stone .
cerise creeping thyme . Photo by : Proven Winners .
CREEPING THYME (Thymusspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : Creeping , spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 inches tall , 12 to 24 inch wideBloom clock time : summertime
This groundcover herb produces lilliputian green , grey , or variegated leaves and pink or white flowers . Species ordinarily used in sway gardens include creep thyme ( Thymus serpyllum ) , wooly thyme ( T. pseudolanuginosus ) , and mother of thyme ( T. praecox ) . Use in a rock garden layer , as edging , or in between stepping stones . Find more ongrowing creeping thyme .
see : violent sneak thymefrom Proven Winners .
