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

Sanguinaria canadensis [san-gwi-nah-ree-ah kan-ah-den-sis]. Bloodroot grows wild in eastern North American woodlands. It has thick red-flushed tuberous roots, bleeds orange liquid when cut, and sits very close to the soil surface. In April and May light petaled white flowers appear briefly on stems about 6" high clasped in the tight folds of an unfurled leaf. The double form 'Multiplex' flowers for a longer period. Grows easily in shade in a woodsy soil (pH 5-8), either limy or slightly acid. Zones 3-9.

Saponaria ocymoides [sa-poh-nar-ee-ah oh-sih-moy-i-dees]. This is an easy sprawly rock soapwort in the Pink family. Best grown in ordinary garden soil in full sun where it can drape a bank or large stone wall. It forms tumbling evergreen mounds about 6" high and 2' across and covers itself with bright pink flowers from May to June. It should be cut back severely after flowering to keep it compact. A more desirable form for the rock garden is 'Rubra Compacta'. Alps. Zones 2-8.

Saxifraga cotyledon [saks-if-rah-gah kow-tih-lee-don]. An encrusted saxifrage; it occurs in the mountains of Europe and has rosettes about 8" across of tongue-shaped leaves, beaded but not toothed. In May or June the tall panicles of white flowers, branched and pyramidal in outline, may, when well grown, reach 2' To produce flowers it sometimes is necessary to remove and save for propagation all side rosettes. The flowering rosette dies after blooming. S. cotyledon is one of the most beautiful of the silver saxifrages and one of the easiest to grow. Zones 3-7.

Saxifraga moschata 'Peter Pan' [mos-kah-tah]. This small low-growing mossy saxifrage with scalloped leaves makes a pad of dark green rosettes from which rise vivid crimson flowers in spring. Mossy saxifrages need a cool semi-shaded site, with rich, well-drained soil that does not parch in summer. An annual top dressing of equal parts of coarse sand and leaf mold worked into the carpet of foliage will encourage new roots. Their one common weakness is to die out in patches, especially during hot, muggy weather. Zones 4-6.

Saxifraga paniculata [pah-nik-you-lah-tah]. (syn. S. aizoon). An encrusted saxifrage occurring in Europe and North America. The rosettes, usually 2" across, are composed of narrow spoon-shaped leaves edged with forward-pointing teeth and rimmed with silvery white encrustations and white flowers, spotted with red or purple, on stems about 12" high, flowering in May. Leaf colors range from pale green to silver and silver-blue. The flowers vary from pure white in 'Alba', to yellow in 'Lutea', and bright pink in 'Rosea'. They look best in crevices and do best with shade part of the day. The flowering rosettes die, but are replaced by side rosettes. Zones 2-6.

Scabiosa lucida [skab-ee-oh-sah loo-see-dah]. One of the smaller, dwarf species of scabious, S. lucida has cut leaves and big pincushion flowers of rosy lilac on plants 7" x 8", flowering in summer and continuing into fall. It is from the European mountains. An easy small perennial that reseeds nicely. Grow in either sun or part shade. Zones 4-8.

Scilla tubergeniana [sill-ah too-ber-jin-ee-ah-nah]. (Correct name is S. mischtschenkoana, seldom used, for an obvious reason). Very early 4" spikes of light blue stars with a darker stripe down the center of each petal, elongating and creating a very long bloom period. Grows well in light shade, dry woodland. Iran. Zones 3-9.

Sedum kamtschaticum [see-dum kamt-cha-ti-kum]. A clump-forming stonecrop from Siberia, Manchuria and east Asia, growing up to 9" with large toothed leaves sometimes edged with white. Large clusters of bright yellow stars in July and August. The old stems die back in the fall, but new ones appear from the center of the clump and remain green all winter. After the flowers fade on all varieties, the seed pods turn red and remain attractive. Easy with good drainage. Zones 3-8.

Sedum pluricaule [plur-eh-kawl-eh]. This handsome stonecrop from Sakhalin has round blue leaves and red stems and red flowers. It grows in a slowly spreading clump 2" x 4". 'Rose Carpet' is a good selection. Small sedums in variety have unusual textures and colors and require very little care. Not every pretty plant is difficult. Zones 3-8.

Sedum sieboldii [see-bold-ee-eye]. From August to September, flat heads of pink flowers on 8" stems rise over mounds of succulent, gray-blue round leaves. The foliage remains well into winter. Grows in sun or shade. Japan. Zones 3-9.

Sedum spurium [spur-ee-um]. Mat-forming plant, makes a fine ground cover. Mid-July to August, 6" stems hold clusters of ¹/2" pink flowers; the foliage may take on a reddish tinge. 'Dragon's Blood' is a popular selection. Caucasus. Zones 3-8.

Sempervivum arachnoideum [sem-per-vye-vum ah-rack-noy-dee-um]. Low mat-forming succulent with cobweb-like threads covering the foliage. Bright red flowers are borne on 4" stems. Compact rosettes which will grow well in screes, crevices and between paving stones. In dry climates it prefers heavier soils and moisture. Mountains of Europe. Zones 5-8.

Silene alpestris [sy-lee-nee al-pess-tris]. The silenes are a large genus of the Pink family. White snowflake flowers on 4" stems in early summer. Sun or part shade in deep, well-drained, limy soil. Creeping stems form a dense mat of shiny dark green leaves. The double form resembles a carnation. Eastern Alps. Zones 5-8.

Silene caroliniana [kar-oh-lin-ee-ah-nah]. Densely tufted perennial with narrow, opposite, blue-green leaves. Clusters of white to deep pink flowers on 7" stems; an early summer bloomer; wedge-shaped petals. Grows well in acid dry woodland soil. Eastern U.S. Zones 5-8.

Silene schafta [shaf-tah]. Profusion of lavender-pink flowers on 6" stems, over dense tufts of light green leaves. Blooms in August and September. Sun or light shade in any soil. Caucasus. Zones 4-8.

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

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
Sanguinaria canadensis [san-gwi-nah-ree-ah kan-ah-den-sis]. Bloodroot grows wild in eastern North American woodlands. It has thick red-flushed tuberous roots, bleeds orange liquid when cut, and sits very close to the soil surface. In April and May light petaled white flowers appear briefly on stems about 6" high clasped in the tight folds of an unfurled leaf. The double form 'Multiplex' flowers for a longer period. Grows easily in shade in a woodsy soil (pH 5-8), either limy or slightly acid. Zones 3-9.		Saponaria ocymoides [sa-poh-nar-ee-ah oh-sih-moy-i-dees]. This is an easy sprawly rock soapwort in the Pink family. Best grown in ordinary garden soil in full sun where it can drape a bank or large stone wall. It forms tumbling evergreen mounds about 6" high and 2' across and covers itself with bright pink flowers from May to June. It should be cut back severely after flowering to keep it compact. A more desirable form for the rock garden is 'Rubra Compacta'. Alps. Zones 2-8.
Saxifraga cotyledon [saks-if-rah-gah kow-tih-lee-don]. An encrusted saxifrage; it occurs in the mountains of Europe and has rosettes about 8" across of tongue-shaped leaves, beaded but not toothed. In May or June the tall panicles of white flowers, branched and pyramidal in outline, may, when well grown, reach 2' To produce flowers it sometimes is necessary to remove and save for propagation all side rosettes. The flowering rosette dies after blooming. S. cotyledon is one of the most beautiful of the silver saxifrages and one of the easiest to grow. Zones 3-7.		Saxifraga moschata 'Peter Pan' [mos-kah-tah]. This small low-growing mossy saxifrage with scalloped leaves makes a pad of dark green rosettes from which rise vivid crimson flowers in spring. Mossy saxifrages need a cool semi-shaded site, with rich, well-drained soil that does not parch in summer. An annual top dressing of equal parts of coarse sand and leaf mold worked into the carpet of foliage will encourage new roots. Their one common weakness is to die out in patches, especially during hot, muggy weather. Zones 4-6.
Saxifraga paniculata [pah-nik-you-lah-tah]. (syn. S. aizoon). An encrusted saxifrage occurring in Europe and North America. The rosettes, usually 2" across, are composed of narrow spoon-shaped leaves edged with forward-pointing teeth and rimmed with silvery white encrustations and white flowers, spotted with red or purple, on stems about 12" high, flowering in May. Leaf colors range from pale green to silver and silver-blue. The flowers vary from pure white in 'Alba', to yellow in 'Lutea', and bright pink in 'Rosea'. They look best in crevices and do best with shade part of the day. The flowering rosettes die, but are replaced by side rosettes. Zones 2-6.
Scabiosa lucida [skab-ee-oh-sah loo-see-dah]. One of the smaller, dwarf species of scabious, S. lucida has cut leaves and big pincushion flowers of rosy lilac on plants 7" x 8", flowering in summer and continuing into fall. It is from the European mountains. An easy small perennial that reseeds nicely. Grow in either sun or part shade. Zones 4-8.
Scilla tubergeniana [sill-ah too-ber-jin-ee-ah-nah]. (Correct name is S. mischtschenkoana, seldom used, for an obvious reason). Very early 4" spikes of light blue stars with a darker stripe down the center of each petal, elongating and creating a very long bloom period. Grows well in light shade, dry woodland. Iran. Zones 3-9.		Sedum kamtschaticum [see-dum kamt-cha-ti-kum]. A clump-forming stonecrop from Siberia, Manchuria and east Asia, growing up to 9" with large toothed leaves sometimes edged with white. Large clusters of bright yellow stars in July and August. The old stems die back in the fall, but new ones appear from the center of the clump and remain green all winter. After the flowers fade on all varieties, the seed pods turn red and remain attractive. Easy with good drainage. Zones 3-8.
Sedum pluricaule [plur-eh-kawl-eh]. This handsome stonecrop from Sakhalin has round blue leaves and red stems and red flowers. It grows in a slowly spreading clump 2" x 4". 'Rose Carpet' is a good selection. Small sedums in variety have unusual textures and colors and require very little care. Not every pretty plant is difficult. Zones 3-8.		Sedum sieboldii [see-bold-ee-eye]. From August to September, flat heads of pink flowers on 8" stems rise over mounds of succulent, gray-blue round leaves. The foliage remains well into winter. Grows in sun or shade. Japan. Zones 3-9.
Sedum spurium [spur-ee-um]. Mat-forming plant, makes a fine ground cover. Mid-July to August, 6" stems hold clusters of ¹/2" pink flowers; the foliage may take on a reddish tinge. 'Dragon's Blood' is a popular selection. Caucasus. Zones 3-8.		Sempervivum arachnoideum [sem-per-vye-vum ah-rack-noy-dee-um]. Low mat-forming succulent with cobweb-like threads covering the foliage. Bright red flowers are borne on 4" stems. Compact rosettes which will grow well in screes, crevices and between paving stones. In dry climates it prefers heavier soils and moisture. Mountains of Europe. Zones 5-8.
Silene alpestris [sy-lee-nee al-pess-tris]. The silenes are a large genus of the Pink family. White snowflake flowers on 4" stems in early summer. Sun or part shade in deep, well-drained, limy soil. Creeping stems form a dense mat of shiny dark green leaves. The double form resembles a carnation. Eastern Alps. Zones 5-8.		Silene caroliniana [kar-oh-lin-ee-ah-nah]. Densely tufted perennial with narrow, opposite, blue-green leaves. Clusters of white to deep pink flowers on 7" stems; an early summer bloomer; wedge-shaped petals. Grows well in acid dry woodland soil. Eastern U.S. Zones 5-8.
Silene schafta [shaf-tah]. Profusion of lavender-pink flowers on 6" stems, over dense tufts of light green leaves. Blooms in August and September. Sun or light shade in any soil. Caucasus. Zones 4-8.
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

Part II: Good Rock Garden Plants