If you are planning a rock garden, you might be wondering what plants will look good in them. This article will cover plants such as Lamb’s ear, Moonbeam coreopsis, and Euphorbia. The right choice for your garden depends on the type of soil it receives. A moist ground is essential to rock cress’ growth. The flowers of rock cress can vary in color.
Aubrieta
Purple rockcress, also known as moss phlox, is a perennial groundcover with small purple flowers. It grows quickly and produces an intense color. It is a hardy rockery plant, with extensive root systems. Stemless gentian comes in three different shades. Both are common in rock gardens. These plants can also be used to cover large areas. They also attract beneficial insects.
For the shady areas, you can plant succulents like prickly pear cactus. This plant is drought-resistant and heat-resistant. The pears are edible and can be grown in zones 10-11. It is important to keep in mind the climate conditions of the plants you choose, as certain plants do better in cold climates. The selection of plant species can also make a huge difference in the performance of your rock garden.
Aubrietas are best grown in part shade or partial shade. They need a half-day of sunlight to thrive. Too much shade can lead to a leggy appearance and sparse flowers. They also need a moist environment to survive and thrive. Ensure good drainage. Also, make sure there are no weeds growing nearby. The soil pH should be at least 6.5 to prevent fungal infections.
Aubrieta is the best plant for rock gardens, and it can be used to fill bare spaces and cover walls. Aubrieta also grows well as a ground cover, spilling over walls and filling in gaps. These plants are easy to grow and care for. You just need to deadhead them after flowering so that they don’t set seeds and take over your garden.
Moonbeam coreopsis
The threadleaf variety of Coreopsis verticillata, “Moonbeam,” is particularly attractive in a rock garden. This plant is drought-tolerant, and its flowers are a restful shade of yellow. Its long blooming period makes it a great choice for rock gardens, and it pairs well with other restful plants. Older plants may require deadheading to extend their flowering period.
These hardy perennials like poor soil and can tolerate a variety of climates. Although they require good drainage, they can tolerate some shade in the afternoon, but too much shade will cause them to lose their shape. Moonbeam coreopsis, another aster plant, is popular as a border plant. If you’d like to have a rock garden that looks beautiful, you can grow it in a pot.
A native of Australia, this plant is hardy and low-maintenance. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and only requires occasional watering. You can grow Moonbeam coreopsis in USDA plant hardiness zones three to nine. Unlike most plants, they don’t require fertilizer. Its small, yellow blooms will last throughout the summer and are surrounded by feathery green foliage.
If you want a more colorful rock garden, you can add alyssum perennials to your garden. This plant, also known as “Basket of Gold,” has yellow flowers that contrast with boulders and rocks. Alyssum is drought-tolerant and can grow in zones four to seven. However, it may have a shorter lifespan if grown in warmer climates. It’s important to remember that the best plants for rock gardens are those that complement each other.
Lamb’s ear
Lamb’s ear is one of the easiest rocks to grow. It requires a small amount of water – around one inch per week – and is drought-tolerant. However, it will drop its old leaves if they become too wet, which can lead to leaf disease and fungal leaf spots. To prevent significant root loss, thinning the plant can help reduce the risk of leaf diseases.
It is native to the Middle East, but is now also widely grown in some parts of North America. Although it is not listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s invasive species list, lamb’s ear has many benefits. It is a deer and rabbit-resistant plant that thrives in dry soil and resists pests. Its flower stalks contain strong pigments and are a popular attraction to birds and bees. Plant lamb’s ear plants approximately 18 inches apart.
The foliage of lamb’s ear plants is very attractive, and they make excellent companions for other low-water plants. Lamb’s ear prefers full sun, but it does tolerate partial shade. In high-desert climates, partial shade will be beneficial for this species. However, lamb’s ear can be planted in containers as well. A well-tended plant will look stunning.
Euphorbia
If you’re looking for low-maintenance accent plants for your rock garden, you can try euphorbia. This succulent family is not only drought-tolerant, but also has a wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes. Some of the best plants for rock gardens include Candytuft, which is a 6-inch tall mat that blooms with tiny star-shaped flowers in the early summer. Pink dragon’s blood stonecrop, a member of the same family, is another good choice for rock gardens.
Irish moss is an excellent choice if your climate is damp. The plant has a velvety texture and grows well in moist soil. Its flowers are white or pink and appear in clusters. It is ideal as a ground cover, and grows well in most soils. If rainfall is scarce, water this plant once a week. Once it has grown to a substantial size, it will grow very quickly.
The plant has shallow roots, making it easy to plant in between rocks and other landscape elements. Many types of Euphorbia are low-growing ground covers that will not overtake a rock garden. But there are a few exceptions. Euphorbia myrsinites, for example, are so invasive that they are on the Oregon noxious weed list. Donkey tail spurge is available in Oregon nurseries.
Sempervivum
Sempervivum are among the most popular succulent plants, and they make excellent plants for rock gardens. Their leaves are rosette-shaped and feature sharp tips and barbed edges. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, and their shallow root systems make them perfect for small spaces. A few tips to keep them looking their best in a rock garden can help them thrive in almost any climate. Listed below are some of their best attributes.
Reticulated iris, a compact, 6-inch plant, blooms in the summer and is best planted in groups. Their bulbs need dry soil to dorm, and rock gardens with good drainage are ideal. Wood spurge is another perennial that has purple-tinged foliage. Although it can handle some shade, too much can cause it to lose its shape. For more information, visit the Sempervivum website.
Ajuga is an underrated plant. It is commonly used as a ground cover, but deserves more attention in a rock garden. It is a deer-resistant plant that can thrive in shady areas. Ajuga is also a low-maintenance plant that blooms in the spring. You can also plant it in a pot. However, it is best planted under the supervision of a professional.
Phlox Louisiana Blue
Phlox Louisiana Blue is an excellent choice for rock gardens. This native perennial is known as a “rock star” with its large, dark blue blooms. It grows in zones 3 to 8, and it can tolerate both clay and normal soil. Louisiana Blue is also a great groundcover, and mass plantings are gorgeous. Its semi-evergreen foliage turns burgundy in the Fall and Winter.
To create the perfect rock garden, start by planning your space. Decide what plants will grow where, and how large they should be. Allot about 40-60 percent of the area you plan to plant. Don’t pack too many in, however. Leave a bit of space for the plants to grow and spread. Phlox Louisiana Blue are the best plants for rock gardens. While they’re not the tallest, they’re a great choice for rock gardens.
The best way to grow blue phlox is to plant a patch of it in a sunny spot. This perennial herbaceous plant grows to about 18 inches in height and two feet wide. The flowers are star-shaped and are surrounded by narrow, needle-like leaves. It’s ideal for rock gardens because it tolerates sun and shade. Unlike many other plants, it has the ability to survive in a shaded area while growing in the shade.