Rock gardens are like capturing a rugged mountain landscape in miniature, and there’s something so cool about the contrast between tough stone and delicate greenery. If you’re looking to build your own alpine oasis, I’ve rounded up nine of the most popular rock garden plants, plus a little “pro tip” favorite of mine at the end.
[[pflanzen]]
++Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)
The real charm of this plant lies in its feathery, fern-like leaves and those stunning bell-shaped flowers that sit atop long stems. The blooms can reach up to three inches wide and usually pop up around March or April. Once the flowers fade, they turn into these fluffy, whimsical seed heads that look just as good as the blooms themselves. To keep them happy, give them a spot in full sun with loose, sandy soil.
++Two-Row Stonecrop (Sedum spurium)
This low-maintenance groundcover only gets about 6 inches tall, but it’s a workhorse. It sends out creeping stems that can easily fill in larger gaps between rocks. From June to August, it’s covered in white, pink, or red flowers that are basically a magnet for bees and butterflies. Since it’s a succulent, it stores water in its fleshy leaves, making it super drought-tolerant.
++Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum)
The Latin name *Sempervivum* literally means “always living,” which tells you everything you need to know about how tough these guys are. They grow in adorable rosettes and keep their thick, fleshy leaves all through the winter. Depending on the variety, you’ll see white, pink, or deep red flowers poking out between April and August. They’re practically indestructible!
++Rock Cress (Aubrieta Hybrids)
If you want a “wow” factor in the spring, Rock Cress is your best friend. It creates a dense carpet of violet, white, pink, or red flowers that you can see from across the yard. Even when it’s not blooming, the dark green foliage looks great. Just make sure it’s in a warm, sunny spot with slightly alkaline (limy) soil so it can spread its runners happily.
++Stemless Gentian (Gentiana acaulis)
This variety of Gentian has almost no stem at all, so it looks like those deep blue trumpet flowers are growing straight out of the ground. The contrast against the evergreen leaves is stunning. Gentians can be a little picky, though—they love rocky ground in sun or partial shade, but they really insist on soil that is rich in lime and humus while still draining well.
++Hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen)
Staying small at just 4 to 6 inches tall, Cyclamen are perfect for tucking into rock crevices. Depending on which type you plant, you can get blooms in early spring, mid-summer, or even late fall. The flowers come in shades of white to bright pink, and the heart-shaped leaves often have beautiful silver patterns. Give them a sheltered, partially shaded spot, and they’ll eventually spread into a gorgeous flowering carpet.
++Dalmatian Bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana)
