NARGS: Good Rock Garden Plants

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Part II: Good Rock Garden Plants

by NARGS contributors

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Gentiana scabra [jen-shee-ah-nah skay-brah]. Narrow ovate leaves on 12" plant. The dark blue flowers are in clusters at the stem tops and in the upper leaf axils in October. Sun. Moist humus-rich, well-drained soil with cool exposure. Native to eastern Asia and Japan. Zones 5-8.

Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana [sep-tem-fye-dah lah-goh-dee-kee-ah-nah]. Ovate leaves on 10" high perennial. Blue bell-shaped and fringed flowers are in terminal clusters in summer. Sun or part shade. Native to alpine fields of Caucasus up to 9,000 feet, moist but well-drained peaty loam soil. Slugs are a problem in the Northwest. Zones 2-8.

Geranium cinereum [jeh-ray-nee-um sih-ner-ee-um]. Tufted per-ennial 5" high with gray-green deeply toothed, lobed basal leaves. The cultivar 'Ballerina' has lilac-pink flowers veined a darker color in center. G. c. var. subcaulescens 'Splendens' has spectacular cerise dark-eyed flowers. Summer-blooming in good soil and full sun. Species is native to grassy or rocky places in western and central Pyrenees. Zones 4-9.

Geranium dalmaticum [dahl-mah-teh-kum]. Mat-forming rhizomes with 6" stems of small glossy, lobed leaves. 1" wide delicate shell-pink flowers open in June. Sun. Limy, fertile soil. Scarlet fall color. Good wall plant. Balkan Peninsula. Zones 3-8.

Geranium sanguineum var. lancastriense [san-gwin-ee-um lan-kass-tree-en-se]. Dwarf cushion form of species 6" x 18" with soft pink flowers etched with darker veins. Late spring, but blooms off and on all summer. Sun to part shade, rock garden soil. Species is native to dry, rocky or sandy places and open woods throughout Europe. Zones 3-8.

Globularia cordifolia [glob-you-lah-ree-ah kor-deh-foe-lee-ah]. Prostrate creeping subshrub 4" high. Evergreen leaves form 12" mat. ¹/2" gray-blue powder-puff heads on 2" stems in summer. Full sun to part shade, scree on warm slope. Native to rocks and screes in eastern Pyrenees, High Alps, and Apennines. Zones 5-8.

Gypsophila repens [jip-sof-eh-lah ree-penz]. Prostrate spreading perennial mat 18" wide with bluish green linear leaves. Masses of small white flowers on 6" stems in late spring and summer. Full sun or part shade. Drought-tolerant. Native to rocky, stony and grassy places and banks in the Alps, Pyrenees and Apennines. Cultivar 'Rosea' has single pink flowers in May. Zones 3-8.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Helianthemum nummularium [hee-lee-an-theh-mum newm-you-lah-ree-um]. Prostrate evergreen subshrub 4" x 12" at maturity. 1" yellow, orange, pink, or white flowers in late May. Native of dry meadows and rocky limestone places throughout Great Britain and southern Europe. Sunny scree conditions. Zones 5-8.

Hepatica americana [heh-pat-i-kah ah-mehr-ih-kah-na]. ¹/2" flowers on 5" stems in early spring over semi-evergreen basal leaves with rounded lobes. Colors range from lilac, blue, pink to white. Well-drained soil under layer of leaves in deciduous shade. Native to eastern U.S. and Canada on wooded, slightly acid slopes. Zones 4-8.

Hosta venusta [hoss-tah veh-new-stah]. Perennial. Attractive small plant 3-8" tall, with ribbed leaves and erect stems, bearing 2 or 3 clusters of mauve lily-like flowers. Likes sun with moist soil, or dry shade. Easy from seed or division. From Yakushima, Japan. Zones 3-9.

Houstonia caerulea [you-stone-ee-ah sehr-roo-lee-ah]. (Correctly, but rarely, Hedyotis caerulea). Creeping, semi-evergreen perennial tufts with ¹/2" long leaves. 3" stems carry blue or bluish white flowers with a yellow eye in spring. Shady spot, humus-rich, moist soil during summer, but not wet in winter. Native from Nova Scotia to Georgia and Missouri. Zones 3-8. H. serpyllifolia is easier in the Southeast, also requiring a moist, acid soil.

Hutchinsia alpina [hut-chin-see-ah al-pie-nah]. Tufted perennial mat 4" high with lacy, dark green basal leaves 1" long. Heads of pure white flowers in late spring; long-flowering. Needs moist soil on cool bank. Native to limestone rocks and screes of Pyrenees, Alps, northern and central Apennines. Zones 5-7.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Iberis sempervirens [eye-bear-iss sem-per-vye-rens]. Dark evergreen leaves. White flowers are in flat terminal clusters at a height of 10" in spring. The cultivar 'Little Gem' is only 6" high and has larger flowers. Alps from Pyrenees to Asia Minor. Zones 3-8.

Iris cristata [eye-riss kris-tah-tah]. Rhizomatous, 6" foliage. Blue flowers with yellow crest on short stems in late May. Spreads when in light soil. Full sun or part shade, well-drained, moist woodland garden. Native to the southeastern U.S. There is also a pure white form. Slugs love it in the Northwest. Zones 3-9.

Iris pumila [pooh-meh-lah]. 8" sword-like leaves. Solitary flowers like a tiny bearded iris on 3" high stems ranging from yellow to pink and purple in early May. Many named hybrids. Native from Austria to Russia and Asia Minor. In full sun. Zones 4-8.

Iris reticulata [reh-tick-you-lah-tah]. The earliest blooming bulbous iris (about when you have your third night without frost); ranging from almost white through blue to purple 2" flowers on 3" stalks. Full sun, good drainage. Leaves elongate to 15" before going dormant in late May. Caucasus. Zones 3-9.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Lewisia columbiana var. rupicola [lew-iss-ee-ah kohl-um-bee-aye-nah roo-pick-oh-lah]. Loose clusters of magenta flowers on 6" stems cover tufts of narrow fleshy evergreen leaves from May to July. Rich, gritty, well-drained soil, preferably on a slope or rock crevice with a summer dry period. Tiny and good in troughs. From the Cascade and Olympic Mts. Zones 4-7.

Lewisia cotyledon [ko-tih-lee-don]. Clusters of 1" flowers in pastel shades rise on 12" stems over a rosette of strap-like, evergreen leaves which are sometimes edged in electric pink. Gritty lime-free soil over a rich loam, in a cool well-drained spot facing north or east. From the mountains of southern Oregon and northern California. Zones 5-7.

Lilium pumilum [lih-lee-um pooh-mill-um]. Attractive small lily with grassy leaves and small bright scarlet or orange turk's cap flowers. 12-15" tall. Likes well-drained leafy soil and some sun. Protect from drought. China. Zones 3-7.

Linum flavum [lye-num flah-vum]. Clusters of yellow flowers are carried throughout summer on woody stems of 12-16". 'Compactum' is a somewhat smaller form. Any good well-drained soil in full sun to part shade will satisfy this native of central and southern Europe. Zones 5-8.

Linum perenne 'Saphir' [peh-ren-ee sah-feer]. Expect loose multi-branched heads of brilliant blue 1¹/2" flowers throughout summer, 8-10" above a tuft of leafy stems. Excellent when combined with L. flavum. A selected form of a species found on prairies of North America from Texas to Alaska, it will thrive in any good garden soil. Zones 3-9.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Narcissus asturiensis [nar-siss-us ass-tur-ee-en-siss]. (syn. N. minimus). The first and the smallest trumpet, 4" in bloom, deep yellow throughout, a perfect miniature of 'King Alfred'. Full sun and good drainage. A summer baking is appreciated. Mountains of northern Spain. Zones 5-9. There are many fine species, but some are still wild-collected; insist on cultivated material.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Gentiana scabra [jen-shee-ah-nah skay-brah]. Narrow ovate leaves on 12" plant. The dark blue flowers are in clusters at the stem tops and in the upper leaf axils in October. Sun. Moist humus-rich, well-drained soil with cool exposure. Native to eastern Asia and Japan. Zones 5-8.		Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana [sep-tem-fye-dah lah-goh-dee-kee-ah-nah]. Ovate leaves on 10" high perennial. Blue bell-shaped and fringed flowers are in terminal clusters in summer. Sun or part shade. Native to alpine fields of Caucasus up to 9,000 feet, moist but well-drained peaty loam soil. Slugs are a problem in the Northwest. Zones 2-8.
Geranium cinereum [jeh-ray-nee-um sih-ner-ee-um]. Tufted per-ennial 5" high with gray-green deeply toothed, lobed basal leaves. The cultivar 'Ballerina' has lilac-pink flowers veined a darker color in center. G. c. var. subcaulescens 'Splendens' has spectacular cerise dark-eyed flowers. Summer-blooming in good soil and full sun. Species is native to grassy or rocky places in western and central Pyrenees. Zones 4-9.
Geranium dalmaticum [dahl-mah-teh-kum]. Mat-forming rhizomes with 6" stems of small glossy, lobed leaves. 1" wide delicate shell-pink flowers open in June. Sun. Limy, fertile soil. Scarlet fall color. Good wall plant. Balkan Peninsula. Zones 3-8.		Geranium sanguineum var. lancastriense [san-gwin-ee-um lan-kass-tree-en-se]. Dwarf cushion form of species 6" x 18" with soft pink flowers etched with darker veins. Late spring, but blooms off and on all summer. Sun to part shade, rock garden soil. Species is native to dry, rocky or sandy places and open woods throughout Europe. Zones 3-8.
Globularia cordifolia [glob-you-lah-ree-ah kor-deh-foe-lee-ah]. Prostrate creeping subshrub 4" high. Evergreen leaves form 12" mat. ¹/2" gray-blue powder-puff heads on 2" stems in summer. Full sun to part shade, scree on warm slope. Native to rocks and screes in eastern Pyrenees, High Alps, and Apennines. Zones 5-8.
Gypsophila repens [jip-sof-eh-lah ree-penz]. Prostrate spreading perennial mat 18" wide with bluish green linear leaves. Masses of small white flowers on 6" stems in late spring and summer. Full sun or part shade. Drought-tolerant. Native to rocky, stony and grassy places and banks in the Alps, Pyrenees and Apennines. Cultivar 'Rosea' has single pink flowers in May. Zones 3-8.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Helianthemum nummularium [hee-lee-an-theh-mum newm-you-lah-ree-um]. Prostrate evergreen subshrub 4" x 12" at maturity. 1" yellow, orange, pink, or white flowers in late May. Native of dry meadows and rocky limestone places throughout Great Britain and southern Europe. Sunny scree conditions. Zones 5-8.		Hepatica americana [heh-pat-i-kah ah-mehr-ih-kah-na]. ¹/2" flowers on 5" stems in early spring over semi-evergreen basal leaves with rounded lobes. Colors range from lilac, blue, pink to white. Well-drained soil under layer of leaves in deciduous shade. Native to eastern U.S. and Canada on wooded, slightly acid slopes. Zones 4-8.
Hosta venusta [hoss-tah veh-new-stah]. Perennial. Attractive small plant 3-8" tall, with ribbed leaves and erect stems, bearing 2 or 3 clusters of mauve lily-like flowers. Likes sun with moist soil, or dry shade. Easy from seed or division. From Yakushima, Japan. Zones 3-9.
Houstonia caerulea [you-stone-ee-ah sehr-roo-lee-ah]. (Correctly, but rarely, Hedyotis caerulea). Creeping, semi-evergreen perennial tufts with ¹/2" long leaves. 3" stems carry blue or bluish white flowers with a yellow eye in spring. Shady spot, humus-rich, moist soil during summer, but not wet in winter. Native from Nova Scotia to Georgia and Missouri. Zones 3-8. H. serpyllifolia is easier in the Southeast, also requiring a moist, acid soil.		Hutchinsia alpina [hut-chin-see-ah al-pie-nah]. Tufted perennial mat 4" high with lacy, dark green basal leaves 1" long. Heads of pure white flowers in late spring; long-flowering. Needs moist soil on cool bank. Native to limestone rocks and screes of Pyrenees, Alps, northern and central Apennines. Zones 5-7.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Lewisia columbiana var. rupicola [lew-iss-ee-ah kohl-um-bee-aye-nah roo-pick-oh-lah]. Loose clusters of magenta flowers on 6" stems cover tufts of narrow fleshy evergreen leaves from May to July. Rich, gritty, well-drained soil, preferably on a slope or rock crevice with a summer dry period. Tiny and good in troughs. From the Cascade and Olympic Mts. Zones 4-7.		Lewisia cotyledon [ko-tih-lee-don]. Clusters of 1" flowers in pastel shades rise on 12" stems over a rosette of strap-like, evergreen leaves which are sometimes edged in electric pink. Gritty lime-free soil over a rich loam, in a cool well-drained spot facing north or east. From the mountains of southern Oregon and northern California. Zones 5-7.
Lilium pumilum [lih-lee-um pooh-mill-um]. Attractive small lily with grassy leaves and small bright scarlet or orange turk's cap flowers. 12-15" tall. Likes well-drained leafy soil and some sun. Protect from drought. China. Zones 3-7.		Linum flavum [lye-num flah-vum]. Clusters of yellow flowers are carried throughout summer on woody stems of 12-16". 'Compactum' is a somewhat smaller form. Any good well-drained soil in full sun to part shade will satisfy this native of central and southern Europe. Zones 5-8.
Linum perenne 'Saphir' [peh-ren-ee sah-feer]. Expect loose multi-branched heads of brilliant blue 1¹/2" flowers throughout summer, 8-10" above a tuft of leafy stems. Excellent when combined with L. flavum. A selected form of a species found on prairies of North America from Texas to Alaska, it will thrive in any good garden soil. Zones 3-9.

Part II: Good Rock Garden Plants