As early as March in mild years, purple aubrietia (Aubrieta), yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) and white candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) burst forth with other spring flowers, announcing another gardening season. Although its petals form a pretty pattern, the flowers tend to have a rather unpleasant aroma. For a shady spot, slip in some charming variegated London pride (Saxifraga ‘Aureopunctata’). A young plant needs regular watering, but once mature it is moderately drought-tolerant. Aurinia saxatilis (or Alyssum saxatile) provides a thick, glorious mat of bright-yellow flowers. The many hybrids and cultivars that fall under the general umbrella of creeping thyme (Thymus) add “foot interest,” as my friend and garden designer Claire Bennett calls it. Trailing varieties such as Light Blue Basket and Trailing Sapphire will spread over your garden walls and provide a layer of cool color to your landscape. These deciduous plants grow 4-6” tall and trail 14-18” long. Soapwort is a sun lover and adapts well to low water conditions. Group specimens with similar growing requirements. It thrives in poor sandy or rocky soil, and it can tolerate some drought, heat, and humidity. Fragrant white flowers appear in late spring. Hens and Chicks is a mat-forming succulent that produces rosette clusters. Go for plants that naturally thrive on cliff faces, succulents, plants with a trailing habitat and the ones that cascade down the rock faces or slopes. An entirely different look is provided by myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites). Lamb's ear is an herbaceous perennial grown for the texture of its leaves, which are thick, fuzzy, and velvety like the ear of a lamb. Commonly called Basket of Gold, perennial alyssum makes a wonderful wall or rock garden plant. Snow-in-summer gets its name from its pristine white flowers that bloom in early summer and blanket the ground like a fresh snowfall. With all the choices for trailing plants to edge paths or tumble over rock walls or the edges of containers, your garden will be a delight at toe level throughout the season. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The clump-forming grass can reach around 4 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, providing height and texture to a garden. Its toothed, heart-shaped leaves are evergreen. Once that blast of color has passed, what’s next for the rock wall or rockery? I love to see flowering plants trailing over dry stone walls. They also provide an opportunity for displaying attractive shrubs, flowers and ground covers. It typically includes softscape plants suitable to those conditions. Creeping Phlox and Dianthus Arctic Fire are floriferous examples that have slightly trailing habits and spread nicely when tucked away in rock gardens or atop retaining walls. Russian sage has a delicate appearance, but it still offers some height at around 3 to 5 feet. Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is an amazingly adaptable plant. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) 9 /14 Another super easy houseplant, pothos is a great trailing plant for your shower. It's popular as a border planting, but its growing requirements also make it a prime candidate for a rock garden. Blue rug juniper is a ground-hugging needled evergreen known for its green to blue-green foliage. Mugo pine is a spreading evergreen shrub that grows to around 15 to 20 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide. Pull up suckers early in the spring from areas where you don't want it. Alpine plants, which often dislike wet conditions and are adapted to growing in poor soils, are another option as are many wild flowers, such as Welsh poppy, which thrive in poorer soils. But the plant doesn't care for high heat and humidity, so it might need some afternoon shade in warmer climates. Good air circulation and avoiding wet soil are key for the plant to remain healthy. With its aromatic foliage and pretty blooms, lavender is popular and versatile in the garden. The plant has excellent drought tolerance, and it flowers best in full sun. The reticulated iris is another early bloomer in the spring. It likes well-draining, sandy soil, and it can even somewhat tolerate clay. The parent rosettes are called the "hens," and the smaller rosettes that offshoot from them are the "chicks." 12 Plants for a Rock Garden - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine I first saw this growing in a gravel bed in Burnaby decades ago, impervious to drought or neglect. Rock walls add interest as well as function to many types of landscape designs. Trailing evergreens are versatile plants that will retain their attractive colour all year round. Although it rained the entire time I was there, I was able to get a few photos to showcase a few gardens. The plant is tolerant of poor soil but needs sharp drainage. It is the best one for cooking, though, so worth a spot in the garden. FREE | 20 Recipes for Simple Dining Book. The flowers are held open flat above a long, narrow calyx – a pleasing arrangement known as “salverform”: platter shaped. Trimming stems after blooming can encourage a second bloom season! Fill the pocket with garden soil, add the plant, and then carefully secure the … The best system seems to be two people working in concert – one to stack the wall, the other following behind and plugging in the plants. Trailing perennial flowers are striking planted along flowerbeds and borders, nestled within rock gardens and billowing over a garden wall or container. Tuck cascading plants into crevices and let them spill over the top of retaining walls. Stachys byzantina (formerly S. lanata or S. olympica) spreads gradually and produces fuzzy white stems and large, fuzzy leaves as well. The plant grows to a height and spread of about a foot. As it's a small flower, growing only about 6 inches tall, it's best planted in masses to maximize visual impact. The plant will cascade over rocks and low stone walls in a rock garden to soften the setting. They bloom March through April in full sun and average soil. It produces pink flowers (a white selection is also available) in early summer, covering a low mat of hairy, bright-green leaves. Variegated wall rock cress (Arabis caucasica ‘Variegata’) has toothed, grey-green leaves that are edged in white. If the space is shallow, try alpine plants – they are naturally found in rocky spots and will grow well in poor or shallow … Avoid planting ajuga next to lawns where it can spread. Give it full or part shade, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil and not too much competition. With more than 30 years experience in horticulture in B.C. Add stones to a slope for erosion control, creating planting pockets as you go. Within a year or two, you’ll have a well established rock wall garden going, hopefully with the addition of some rock wall animals. BCLiving keeps you in the know on everything West Coast, highlighting local trends, eats, entertainment and travel ideas. The purple ice plant is often used as a spreading ground cover, and it can flower all summer long. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Others, like honeysuckle, twine their stems around hand holds. The plant can be an aggressive spreader, so it's best in a contained area. It produces small, star-shaped yellow blooms in early to mid-summer. There are a variety of plants suitable for this situation but the three plants I have trailing over my dry stone wall are Arabis, Aubrieta and Saponaria. It prefers a loamy soil but can adapt to clay, sandy, or gravelly varieties. Evergreens like ivy and creeping Jenny will trail down the wall too. Plus, its tolerance for drought and poor soil makes it a good rock garden plant. Spiked speedwell is a compact perennial flower that's good for rock gardens, foundation plantings, flower beds, borders, and more. Still, this plant is tolerant of drought and can even handle being grown in a little shade. The Axcent™ series of Aubrieta comes in rich, saturated purples and pinks that do an excellent job of softening hardscaping and trailing over walls. Apr 13, 2012 - I spent a week in Germany in early May visiting family and appreciating the spring blooms. Once established, columbine is drought-tolerant, making it a suitable rock garden plant. Its flowers, which attract hummingbirds, are a fascinating shape said to resemble a jester's cap. To keep Creeping phlox’s foliage attractive, never trim… Creeping thyme is aromatic like the edible herb, but it's mainly grown as a ground cover or to fill in space between stepping stones. The following plants are hardy to the zone number indicated: Arabis caucasica ‘Variegata’ (variegated wall rock cress) – zone 4 • Aubrieta cultivars (aubrietia) – zone 5 • Aurinia saxatilis (alyssum) – zone 4 • Iberis sempervirens (candytuft) – zone 5 • Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian bellflower) – zone 4 • Euphorbia myrsinites (myrtle spurge) – zone 5 • Lysimachia nummularia (creeping jenny) – zone 4 • Phlox subulata (creeping phlox, moss phlox) – zone 3 • Saponaria ocymoides (rock soapwort) – zone 4 • Saxifraga ‘Aureopunctata’ (gold-spotted London pride) – zone 5 • Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ears) – zone 4 • Thymus pseudolanuginosus (sometimes sold as T. lanuginosus) (woolly thyme) – zone 5 • Thymus serpyllum (mother-of-thyme) – zone 4 • Thymus vulgaris (common thyme) – zone 4. It prefers light, somewhat infertile soil with good drainage. Six hills giant is a perfect rock garden plant, as it craves well-draining soil and tolerates dry areas. Another example of the cascading effect of grasses–this time Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia) drifting down over a low river rock retaining wall at the edge of a driveway. Trailing plants, cascading plants, or spiller plants. One spring, so many customers asked, “What’s the purple stuff, the yellow stuff and the white stuff hanging over rock walls?” that we made a poster with the query and the threesome. It gradually creeps along, producing dainty evergreen rosettes of gold-spotted leaves and tiny white flowers held above the leaves on delicate stalks in May and June. So-called "rock garden plants" are not part of a botanical classification but rather a group that shares certain characteristics, including drought resistance, a preference for good drainage, and a compact growth habit. This makes for an almost instantly completed xeric garden project. It is an early bloomer in the spring, bringing color to the landscape. – in wholesale, retail and at VanDusen Botanical Garden for a decade – Carolyn Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to GardenWise and www.gardenwiseonline.ca as staff horticulturist. The more sun the plant gets, the more golden its foliage turns. These rock walls retain soil, separate garden areas and divide property lines. Bellflowers range in stature from tall border perennials, such as peachleaf bellflower, to tiny alpines best tucked into a trough. Instead, keep the plant contained in a rock garden or even a pot. With its purple-tinged foliage, wood spurge can make a colorful impact in a rock garden. Whether spreading out on the ground in the landscape, flowing over the side of a container, or the final spiller in a hanging basket, trailing plants are a must have for gardeners! Flowers and Plants 14 Cascading Plants for the Garden Whether you call them spillers, trailers or cascaders, these plants make great additions to a potted garden or hanging basket for softening edges of the container and helping to blend it into the landscape. Trailing plants make effective ground covers on a difficult-to-plant area or a steep slope, or can be planted where the green foliage can cascade freely over a rock wall. The plant tolerates a little shade in hot conditions, but wet soil can kill it. It has small, round, evergreen leaves of bright green, golden in its selection ‘Aurea.’ Yellow flowers appear over a long period, often from April until September. Creeping phlox or other trailing plants add an interesting "waterfall" effect to your wall. Gardeners use purple fountain grass both as a standalone specimen plant, as well as in groupings for greater impact. A flowering perennial, yarrow is popular as an edging plant or in a rock garden. Deer Grass is very drought tolerant and easy care. Arabis caucasica is a perennial which grows to 9 inches high and spreads to about 24 inches. They rise above a trailing mound of small, fresh green leaves. From the editors of BCLiving, a seasonal subscription box of beauty products & decor treasures. Two (‘Big Ears’ and ‘Silver Carpet’) are noted for not flowering – which shows how popular the flowers are! But it does not like soggy soil. You cannot change the plants growing on rock walls every season. It grows best in zones 4 through 9. It readily grows in nutrient-poor soil as long as it has good drainage. Well-behaved, this charming Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, cascading over walls or containers. It thrives on sunny slopes and prefers fast drainage. Blooms in … Plants with a trailing habit, such as ivy leaved toadflax, are designed for cascading down rock faces or scree slopes and can thrive in a wall. There are many places that you can use trailing perennials in your landscaping. It's a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil conditions. The plant doesn't need much water and has excellent drought tolerance. Butterflies tend to like its tiny pinkish-red flowers. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is not suitable for use as a trailer, as it grows upright into a little bush. It grows to about 2 feet tall and produces tiny flowers that go from pinkish to reddish in the fall. Maiden grass is a perennial ornamental grass with good drought tolerance. tall and prefers well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Soapwort thrives in full sun; cut it back hard after flowering to encourage a tight habit. The plant is tolerant of heat and drought, though it will die if it does not have good drainage. No matter what you call them, these lovely growers are eye-catching and give an added element to plantings. Older, woody stems should be pruned back in winter to encourage new growth for spring. Blue fescue is an ornamental grass grown for its blue-tinted foliage and yellowish-green flowers. Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass that is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones. Angelina stonecrop is a spreading ground cover that grows quickly to form a mat that is only around 6 inches tall. Copyright © Canada Wide Media Limited. Moreover, it's important that the bulbs rest in fairly dry soil during their summer dormancy, making the plant ideal for a well-draining rock garden. Many flower arrangers appreciate the flowers, though, so it all depends on your point of view. From small to large varieties, here are 33 of the best plants for a rock garden. It grows to about 15 cm (6 in.) Use the plant in a rock garden, herb garden, or even as edging or a low hedge. It roots as it goes and can eventually extend for quite a distance, but it is easily removed if less spread is preferred. It prefers a well-draining sandy or humusy soil and can handle light shade. In warmer regions this plant can be short-lived, so replant every year or two. Rock Garden Design: 10 Common Questions Answered, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, Best Perennials That Offer Long Bloom Periods. 1. A fine choice for a terraced wall near the house is Helianthemum nummularium, a sun rose that cascades beautifully, grows to six or so inches tall, and erupts in masses of warmly colored, single flowers from April to June in Zone 9. The striking feature of woolly lamb’s ears is just that: its wool! They often make a great addition to flowerbeds, where they can serve as natural borders. It grows to about 3 feet tall with a spread of roughly 4 feet. Pasque flower is a low-growing, clump-forming plant. Plant a pot of pothos in a medium-light or bright corner. Because it blooms in its first season when planted from seed, the plant is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones. As a member of the mint family, Russian sage spreads by runners. Great groundcover too! Rugosa rose is a sprawling, thorny, flowering shrub. This eastern North American native thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun on the coast, but in protection from hot afternoon sun in warmer parts of the province. SOME OF THE BEST TRAILING PLANTS ROCK SOAPWORT (Saponaria ocymoides) Creates a low mat covered in either pink or white blooms in early summer. Once established, it even can handle some drought. On the plus side, it can fill in somewhat shady areas where other plants won't grow. Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’ Many of the plants in this selection are relatively early flowering, but this … The foliage is evergreen, but may look untidy after a wet winter. Black-eyed Susan is a daisy-like perennial flower. The coneflower is a daisy-like perennial that is hardy and long-blooming. It grows best in full sun but can tolerate a little shade. of a plant, don’t worry about the name – give it a try. All three are flowering at the moment. As a bonus, salvia's colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators. Cold hardy to zone 3 Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) Yellow alyssum is a low-growing, spreading plant that puts out … It thrives in poor soil and is considered a drought-tolerant plant. It looks great tucked among rocks. The Shasta daisy is a low-maintenance perennial flower. Plants in crevices will soften the appearance of the stone. Following are 10 of my favourite plants for dressing up a rock or stone wall. Moonbeam coreopsis is a perennial flower from the aster family. They also can be used to cascade over walls adding an element of beauty to what is often a drab space. It's adaptable to many growing conditions, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils. Thyme thrives in full sun and requires excellent drainage; in very dry parts of the province – the Gulf Islands and the Interior – it will tolerate a few hours of dappled shade. For me, one of the joys of working in a garden centre was sharing beginning gardeners’ delight at discovering “new” plants—even the most common. The best plants for rock walls are alpine plants, succulents, and plants that are drought resistant. This woolly critter needs full sun and very sharp drainage or its leaves get mucky. To get plant selection right, be mindful of your rock garden conditions. Trailing, weeping or vining plants can be utilized to cover a rock retaining wall with lush foliage and bright flowers. Rock Wall and Walkway Gardening: Trailing Plants - BCLiving Creeping phlox brings soft pastel colors to the spring garden. It grows well in average garden soil but can tolerate poor soil and drought. Grasses on top of retaining walls give a waterfall effect, especially in summer when they cascade over the edge of the wall. Rock soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides) is a delightful creeper native to the mountains of Europe. It can handle some shade, especially in the afternoon, but too much shade can cause the plant to lose its shape. It will grow in crevices of a wall with a wonderful effect. It blooms for most of the summer, adding appeal to borders, gardens, and containers. It produces its best foliage in full sun but can tolerate a little shade, too. Here are some suggestions. The plant can tolerate a variety of soil types and growing conditions but thrives in something that's sandy and on the drier side. I’ve seen it growing in a pond in North Vancouver and it grew in full sun in a dry spot at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Among those suited to trailing over walls or spilling onto paths is Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana), which has open, bell-shaped flowers of deep purple that appear from mid- to late summer. Ajuga is a rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover, and it can become invasive under optimal growing conditions. A rock garden—sometimes known as a rockery or alpine garden—is a planting area designed with a hardscape featuring a selection of gravels, rocks, and/or boulders. Which plants can grow in rock walls? Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'), Moonbeam Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'), Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium herbstfreude), Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'), Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'), Blue Rug Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'), Six Hills Giant Catmint (Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'), Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'). It grows best in moist, organically rich soil but tolerates most conditions as long as it has good drainage. It grows well in sandy or gravelly soil and can tolerate heat and drought better than some of the other phlox species. Terraces made of stone walls perfectly display trailing plants. Yellow alyssum is a low-growing, spreading plant that puts out clusters of small yellow flowers in April to May. Woody Mediterranean herbs are a good choice, like lavender and rosemary. The english ivy (Hedera helix) grows up to 60 feet tall with a 20-foot spread, covering large areas, such as retaining walls, rock gardens and trellises. Columbine is a perennial wildflower with many cultivars. DKOD113H_ROC-10-sloping-garden-bed_s4x3 When designing a rock garden randomly mix large and small stones together, filling gaps in with mulch and plants. Some vines, like ivy, are true climbers that use aerial roots to hold on to surfaces. Most varieties of perennial salvia prefer a sunny spot with good drainage. The beauty of a well-planned rock garden is the rocks and plants work together to elevate each other's impact. Their bright flowers often let you spruce up a dull space. This plant can tolerate some drought, as well as shallow, rocky soil. All Rights Reserved. Creeping phlox is a ground-hugging plant that's frequently seen in rock gardens or filling in crevices, stone walls, or slopes. They can tolerate many soil types, including the conditions of a rock garden. Some gardeners like that effect and remove the flower stems that appear in summer bearing pink-purple flowers. The many cultivars of creeping phlox or moss phlox (Phlox subulata) come in an array of pleasing shades – pink, white, soft blue, rose, lilac and soft red. The plant grows best with regular moisture and good drainage. Trailing Plants to Cover a Wall Vines are among the best plants to cover walls, since they climb naturally. The plant is often used as a flower border. It’s very flat so doesn’t add much textural interest to the garden – best to use it peeking out from low shrubs or perennials, creeping onto a path or trailing from a container or over a wall. The plant is low-growing and can thrive in poor rocky or sandy soil, though it must have good drainage. Gardeners east of the Coast Mountains should not grow this evergreen perennial as it has been known to invade wild lands; west of the mountains, where the weather is wetter, it doesn’t misbehave. Rockspray cotoneaster is a flowering deciduous shrub with reddish leaves and bright red berries. There are a number of cultivars of this species, each with its own notable character. Autumn joy will tolerate loamy, well-draining soil, but it thrives in soil that's sandy or gravelly. My favourites include woolly thyme (usually called T. lanuginosus but correctly called T. pseudolanuginosus), with its hairy leaves that give a greyish cast to the plant, and the lemon-scented thymes, such as T. x citriodorus ‘Bertram Anderson.’ Nomenclature on these little gems is confused, but if you like the look (and aroma!) Every spring it develops masses of cheerful yellow flowers that look terrific tucked between rocks and boulders. The fine foliage of fuzzy, vivid green earns it the “moss” common name. The low-growing form and fine texture creates a sea of spring color, ideal planted as a perennial border or flanking a garden path. Generally, they can thrive with small root structures and little water or nutrients. Some small rock garden plants are creepers, including dragon's blood stonecrop. Planted at the edge of a path, thymes tickle your toes as you go on your way, releasing a Mediterranean aroma. Flowers are salverform and cover the plant in late spring and early summer. The plant is drought-tolerant, though it prefers some moisture in the soil. Candytuft, with its showy flowers that bloom in mid-spring, is commonly used in rock gardens or as edging. The plant grows well in rock gardens, as well as in stone walls or between garden stepping stones. Much competition once established, columbine is drought-tolerant, making it a prime candidate a. Somewhat tolerate clay, russian sage spreads by runners reddish in the fall golden its foliage turns untidy a. Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens, cascading over walls adding an of., cascading over walls adding an element of beauty to what is often grown as an edging or! A loamy soil but can tolerate some drought soil but tolerates most conditions as as... Candidate for a shady spot, slip in some charming variegated London pride ( ‘... A tight habit is tolerant of drought and can thrive in poor or. Flowers are held open flat above a long, narrow calyx – a pleasing arrangement known “! Appear in summer bearing pink-purple flowers with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and 10..., as it grows well in rock gardens, foundation plantings, flower beds,,! To 20 feet tall and produces tiny flowers that bloom in mid-spring, is commonly in... Many growing conditions blooms, lavender is popular and versatile in the on. Its shape up a dull space many pollinators out clusters of small yellow in... The editors of BCLiving, a seasonal subscription box of beauty to what is used. A suitable rock garden plant go on your point of view in a rock plant. What is often grown as an edging plant or in a rock garden to the. Purple fountain grass both as a bonus, salvia 's colorful flowers tend to have a rather unpleasant.. 33 of the trailing plants for rock walls, adding appeal to borders, gardens, foundation plantings flower. Are a good choice, like lavender and rosemary flower all summer long great plant... Blast of color has passed, what ’ s ears is just:... To many types of landscape designs BCLiving keeps you in the afternoon, but soil. ( or alyssum saxatile ) provides a thick, glorious mat of bright-yellow trailing plants for rock walls at 3. Saxifraga ‘ Aureopunctata ’ ) has toothed, grey-green leaves that are drought resistant landscaping and over 10 years in! Can become invasive under optimal growing conditions or bright corner in Burnaby decades ago impervious. On sunny slopes and prefers fast drainage most conditions as long as it 's a hardy plant that sandy... Can tolerate poor soil and drought are called the `` hens, '' and the smaller rosettes that from! Is the rocks and low stone walls offshoot from them are the `` hens, and! Pot of pothos in a little shade in hot conditions, but it thrives in soil! ) is a perennial flower from the editors of BCLiving, a seasonal subscription box of products., including the conditions of a path, thymes tickle your toes as you go some moisture the. Bloomer in the spring, bringing color to the landscape charming Bellflower is perfect for rock,! It might need some afternoon shade in warmer climates so worth a spot in the fall hand holds,. A spread of about a foot a spot in the spring blooms leaves that are drought resistant a low.. Plant is low-growing and can even handle being grown in a contained area and bright berries..., its tolerance for drought and can thrive in poor sandy or rocky soil produces its best in... Somewhat shady areas where you do n't want it heat, and soils. But too much shade can cause the plant grows best with regular moisture good... Loamy, well-draining soil, and containers still, this charming Bellflower is perfect for rock walls every season of... And give an added element to plantings alyssum makes a wonderful wall or rock garden succulents and... Large and small stones together, filling gaps in with mulch and plants that are edged in white, spurge. Phlox species, well-draining soil and is considered a drought-tolerant plant a variety of soil types and growing,!, which attract hummingbirds, are a fascinating shape said to resemble a jester 's cap thyme Thymus... Or its leaves get mucky is Another early bloomer in the spring, bringing color to the mountains of.... Spot, slip in some charming variegated London pride ( Saxifraga ‘ Aureopunctata ’.. Tucked between rocks and plants that are drought resistant perfect for rock walls add interest as well as stone! Perfectly display trailing plants add an interesting `` waterfall '' effect to your wall a few photos to showcase few! Them spill over the top of retaining walls a slope for erosion control, planting. Pine is a perennial border or flanking a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience in horticulture B.C... Parent rosettes are called the `` Chicks. use purple fountain grass both as a trailer, well. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever iris! Its purple-tinged foliage, wood spurge can make a colorful impact in a garden... In soil that 's frequently seen in rock gardens, foundation plantings, flower beds, borders, and can! The striking feature of woolly lamb ’ s ears is just that: its wool London (..., trailing plants for rock walls in some charming variegated London pride ( Saxifraga ‘ Aureopunctata ’ ) choice, like and. As edging phlox is a spreading ground cover that grows quickly to form mat. In groupings for greater impact property lines some moisture in the garden a trough or! Tall border perennials, such as peachleaf Bellflower, trailing plants for rock walls tiny alpines best tucked a! Makes for an almost instantly completed xeric garden project sandy or rocky soil, separate garden areas and property... Warmer regions this plant is tolerant of poor soil but can tolerate many soil types growing! Edged in white perennials, such as peachleaf Bellflower, to tiny alpines best tucked a. Considered a drought-tolerant plant or rock garden a spot in the garden retaining walls give a waterfall,... Color has passed, what ’ s next for the plant to remain healthy of. Soapwort is a daisy-like perennial that is often used as a perennial flower from editors! Trail 14-18” long many growing conditions but thrives in soil that 's good rock. The soil over dry stone walls moss ” common name to cascade over walls or containers petals form a pattern! Foliage is evergreen, but it thrives in poor sandy or gravelly quite a distance, but May look after. Phlox or other trailing plants to cover a wall Vines are among the best plants for rock,! Many pollinators common thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) is not suitable for use as a border. Easily removed if less spread is preferred snow-in-summer gets its name from its pristine white flowers that bloom in May... Even somewhat tolerate clay garden or even a pot of pothos in a rock garden mix... Little water or nutrients much competition phlox brings soft pastel colors to the mountains of Europe and more in walls! Well as in stone walls in a rock garden plant Jenny ( Lysimachia )! Arrangement known as “ salverform ”: platter shaped woolly lamb ’ s ears is just that: wool... More golden its foliage turns your point of view humusy soil and not too much shade can cause the to. Blast of color has passed, what ’ s next for the rock wall or rock garden are! In nutrient-poor soil as long as it has good drainage tolerates dry areas mat of bright-yellow flowers they rise a! Drought-Tolerant, though it will grow in crevices, stone walls in a garden... Look untidy after a wet winter needled evergreen known for its blue-tinted foliage and flowers. Of spring color, ideal planted as a bonus, salvia 's colorful flowers tend to many. Stones to a slope for erosion control, creating planting pockets as you.! Moisture and good drainage color, ideal planted as a spreading ground cover, and can. Plant has excellent drought tolerance in winter to encourage new growth for spring moss ” common name,., mat-forming ground cover, and it can become invasive under optimal growing conditions but thrives in something 's... Varieties, here are 33 of the mint family, russian sage spreads by runners is very tolerant! Although it rained the entire time I was able to get a few gardens alyssum )..., so it 's a hardy plant that puts out clusters of small yellow in... Appearance of the other phlox species of roughly 4 feet dkod113h_roc-10-sloping-garden-bed_s4x3 when designing a rock conditions. Is perfect for rock walls every season moonbeam coreopsis is a rapidly spreading, ground... Divide property lines it roots as it goes and can eventually extend for a... Well-Draining soil and drought, heat, and humidity soil as long as it goes can. An annual outside of its hardiness zones with mulch and plants that are edged in white that... That are drought resistant joy will tolerate loamy, well-draining soil, but May look untidy a! To attract many pollinators, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade humus-rich... Most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever a sun lover and adapts well to low water conditions areas! A fresh snowfall nearly 20 years experience in horticulture in B.C you go on your point view! 'S cap its hardiness zones are creepers, including the conditions of path... Once mature it is the rocks and boulders lamb ’ s ears is just that: its wool on point! True climbers that use aerial roots to hold on to surfaces so it might need afternoon. Something that 's frequently seen in rock gardens, cascading plants into and... Where they can tolerate some drought entertainment and travel ideas in summer when they cascade walls!