Hummingbird House at Cedar Hill

Wild Willy
The Garden Helper
Willy World
The Gardener's Forum
Annual Plants
Perennials
Veggie Times & Tips
Flowering trees
Vining Plants
Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes
Edible Flowers
House Plants
Gardening Basics
Growing Plants in Pots
How to Grow a Garden
Plant a Flower Garden
Site Preparation
Planting Flowers
Start Seed Indoors
Soil Condition
Test your Soil pH
Plant Buying Guide
Plant Hardiness Zones
Pests & Problems
Monthly Projects
Gardening Glossary
Encyclopedia
Photo Galleries
Cookies!
Favorite Recipes
The Garden Helper, Helping gardeners grow their dreams since 1997
Willy will Return You to the Home Page

How to Grow and Care for your Favorite

Rock Garden Plants

At one time Rock Gardens were usually designed to imitate native plants growing in natural stone outcroppings like you would find in an alpine meadow. For that reason, Alpine plants are the first ones that pop into my mind when I think of Rock Gardens. Today, though, Rock Gardens have become more of matter of using rocks and boulders in a naturalistic style to accentuate just about any kind of planting area, from bogs with carnivorous plants to a complex desert setting filled with cacti and succulents.
For purposes of this list I have stuck with the more traditional kinds of perennial rock garden plants. These tend to be compact in size, many of them originated in the mountain regions of the world, and most of them are quite hardy.

Perennial Rock Garden Plant Profiles

Key to Symbols on this page
This plant requires full sun for most of the dayRequires full sun for most of the day This plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayRequires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the day This plant prefers little or no direct sunlightLittle or no direct sunlight Some or all parts of this plant <em>may</em> be toxic Some or all parts of this plant may be toxic
Once established, these plants require little or no supplemental wateringOnce established, these plants require little or no supplemental watering These plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering These plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heatNeeds regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat These plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heatKeep constantly moist
Name Botanical Height Notes USDA Zone Light, Water
Alpine Aster Aster alpinus 6"-12" Compact mound with 1 1/2" flowers in May/June, butterfly flower 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Alpine Columbine Aquilegia flabellata 12"-18" White and violet flowers are borne on six-inch stalks above bluish-green leaves 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heatSome or all parts of this plant <em>may</em> be toxic
Alpine Pinks Dianthus alpinus 4"-8" Cushions of neat, dark green foliage; typical "Pink" flowers in mid Summer 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Alpine Poppy Papaver alpinum 8" Short-lived, miniature of the Iceland Poppy; white or yellow flowers in mid summer 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heatSome or all parts of this plant <em>may</em> be toxic
Aubretia Aubretia deltoidea 2"-6" Vigorous, colorful, and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Long blooming cover of pink flowers in early Spring. 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Basket of Gold Aurinia saxatilis 8"-12" Dense clusters of gold flowers in Spring and early Summer. All This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Bellflowers Campanula carpatica 6"-12" Blue or white bell shaped flowers through early Summer. 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium brachypus 4"-6" Clumps of Iris like leaves; brightblue, star-shaped flowers June to September 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Blue Fescue Festuca glauca 8-10" Fine bladed, clumping grass, colors from silver to dark blue 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Carpet Bugle Ajuga genevensis 4"-6" Typical Ajuga with flowers which vary from dull red to white and blue. 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Catsfoot Antennaria dioica 2"-6" Mat of durable silvery leaves; light to bright pink flowers 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Coral Bells Heuchera sanguinea 12"-18" Glossy, 3 inch, deeply lobed green to purple leaves; clusters of scarlet flowers on a stout 15" red stems in early-mid Spring 6-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Cranesbill Erodium reichardii 3"-6" Delicate looking but durable tufts of dense green foliage; small pink flowers throughout the Summer 7-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Cushion Pink Silene acaulis 2"-4" Soft, hairy leaves spread slowly to form a low mat. Tubular pink flowers appear in late summer or early Fall 2-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Dwarf Baby's Breath Gypsophila cerastioides 3" Spreading mat of greyish foliage; abundant clusters of pink or white flowers from late Spring til early Summer 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Dwarf Yarrow Achillea kellereri 8" White flowers and silvery foliage 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayOnce established, these plants require little or no supplemental wateringThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Evergreen Candytuft Iberis sempervivens 8"-12" Spreading, narrow green leaves on shrubby stems; dense cover of small white flowers in early-late Spring 4-11 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Fleabane Erigeron glaucus 6"-10" Clump forming, small spoon shaped leaves; Daisy-like pink flowers 3-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Green Carpet Herniaria glabra 2"-3" Tiny, bright green, trailing foliage, turning reddish in the Fall; flowers are insignificant All This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThis plant prefers little or no direct sunlightThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Hens and Chicks Echeveria elegans 2"-3" Succulent blue-green clustering rosettes; bell shaped pink flowers in late summer 8-11 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Ice Plant Delosperma cooperi 5" Shrubby succulent; bright Daisy-like magenta flowers in mid to late Summer 9-11 This plant requires full sun for most of the day Once established, these plants require little or no supplemental wateringThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Lewisia Lewisia tweedyi 8"-12" Rosettes of fleshy 4" evergreen leaves; satiny peach-pink flowers from Spring to Summer; requires perfect drainage 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Lithodora Lithodora diffusa 4"-12" Evergreen mini-shrub; bright blue, star shaped flowers in early Spring 7-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Mountain Avens Dryas drummondii 4" Mat of dark green, Oak-like leaves; 1 1/2 inch white flowers in early Summer 2-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
New Zealand burr Acaena buchananii 1"-4" Dense mat of evergreen, coppery-purple foliage spreads rapidly 7-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Northern Jacobs Ladder Polemonium boreale 6"-12" Clumping plant with "ladder like" leaf stems, with dozens of 1/2 inch blue to purple flowers in spring 3-9 This plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThis plant prefers little or no direct sunlightThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Oregano Origanum amanum 6"-8" Evergreen, small heart shaped green leaves; funnel shaped pink flowers mid-summer 8-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Pasque Flower Pulsatilla vulgaris 8"-10" 3 inch, pale purple flowers are followed by ferny foliage and then by attractive silky seed heads 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Penstemon Penstemon pinifolius 6" Dark orange flowers, needle-like foliage; blooms June to September 8-11 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Phlox Phlox subulata 4"-6" Mat growing fine foliage with masses of 1 inch, fragrant, star shaped flowers (white, blue, pink or red) in Spring 3-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Pinwheel Aeonium haworthii 18" Medium sized succulent that form rosettes of waxy blue-grey rosettes tinged in red 9-11 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Primrose Primula 6"-12" Hundreds of species and varieties suitable for the rock garden; dwarf varieties are best for rock gardens vary This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThis plant prefers little or no direct sunlightThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Rhododendron 'Wren' Rhododendron 'Wren' 12" Low growing, mounding miniature Rhododendron with bright yellow flowers 3 This plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Rockcress Arabis sturii 4"-6" Easy plant to grow; leaves are usually jagged and hairy; flowers white to red 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Rockery Orchid Pleione bulbocodioides 3" Produces a single 3 inch orchid flower in early Spring, followed by a single 6 inch leaf; tough to grow, but very rewarding 8-10 This plant prefers little or no direct sunlightThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Rock Jasmine Androsace sarmentosa 4" Small green leaves with silver hairs; pink flowers from April to June 3-8 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Sandwort Arenaria montana 6" Mossy looking mat of foliage with small 1" white flowers 4-9 needs vary
Saxifrage Saxifraga bronchialis 8" Forms a cushion of moss-like, finefoliage; cream colored flowers, spotted with red or pink in lateSpring 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Sea Pink Armeria maritima 4"-8" Forms mound of dark green leaves; dense cover of white to pink flowers in spring to summer 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Shooting Star Dodecatheon pulchellum 6"-18" Primrose-like rosette plant with unique flowers in shades from white to purple. Prefers light shade. 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Snowbell Soldanella alpina 6" Clump forming, rounded leathery leaves; pale purple, fringed bells appear in early Spring 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Snow in the Summer Cerastium tomentosum 4" Invasive plant... loose clusters of white, one inch flowers; narrow, woolly oblong leaves 3-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Soapwort Saponaria ocymoides 4" Forms thick mat of ground covering, fine foliage; hundreds of small pink to red flowers cover the plant in early Spring 4-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Speedwell Veronica prostrata 8"-12" Forms mat of woody stems and saw-toothed leaves; spikes of small blue flowers in early Summer, Hummingbird flower 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Spurge Euphorbia myrsinites 6"-8" Stiff, blue-green leaves spiral outward around woody stems; golden clusters of flowers in early Spring 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic wateringSome or all parts of this plant <em>may</em> be toxic
Stonecress Aethionema 'Warley Rose' 6" Low growing shrubby evergreen, with long lasting bright rose-pink flowers 6-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Stonecrop Sedum acre 1 1/2"-2" Creeping, small bright green leaves covered with small, star shaped, golden flowers in Spring 5-10 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayOnce established, these plants require little or no supplemental wateringThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Sulfer Flower Eriogonum umbellatum 9"12" Low growing, spreading mat of 1" green leaves; clusters of bright yellow flowers 6-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayOnce established, these plants require little or no supplemental wateringThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Trumpet Gentian Gentiana acaulis 2"-4" Mat of glossy 1 inch green leaves; disproportionate 3 inch, blue trumpet flowers in early Summer 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Whitlow grass Draba aizoides 4" Small rosette of tiny grey or greel leaves; bright yellow flowers in late Spring 5-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heat
Windflower Anemone pulsatilla 8"-12" Fernlike foliage follows the pretty blue flowers in May 4-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants needs regular weekly watering, more often in extreme heatSome or all parts of this plant <em>may</em> be toxic
Woolley Thyme Thymus pseudolanuginosus 1" Spreading mat of tiny, hairy, light green foliage; covered by tiny pink flowers in mid Summer. Several aromatic Thymes are also available. 3-9 This plant requires full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade for at least 3 hours during the hottest part of the dayThese plants will tolerate some drought, but benefit from periodic watering
Native Columbine