Rock Garden Perennial Seeds
by Diane Linsley
What are the best rock garden perennials from seed?
At my old house, I had rock gardens all over the place. Whenever I needed a rock for landscaping, all I had to do was dig a hole, and I was guaranteed to find one (or more). You might say that rock gardening was my specialty.
Things are different at this house. When I need rocks, I have to buy them. It's nice to have deep soil, but sometimes I miss my rock gardens.
Rock Gardening Ideas
Most rock gardens are raised beds with the soil mounded up, interspersed with attractively-placed rocks. The soil can vary from sand to clay, but it usually has good drainage. For these conditions, choose drought-tolerant perennials.
If you don't have the right conditions in the garden, you can create a miniature rock garden in a container. I make cement planters for tiny rock garden plants, which are frequently overlooked or shaded out in the large gardens.
Sun-loving rock garden plants thrive along the edge of the driveway. Most other plants hate the hot, dry conditions in this area.
Most rock gardens are sited in full sun, but some are located in part shade. My list includes plants for both areas. Click here for shade-tolerant flowers.
People usually think "small" when they think of rock gardens. So I limited my list of rock garden perennials to those with short to medium height. I left out anything that self sows too vigorously. You don't want your little rock garden gems to get crowded out!
Rock Garden Seeds
Aethionema schistosum -- Drought-tolerant perennial with pale pink flowers that smell like cotton candy. I love this in the rock garden.
Alyssum montanum 'Mountain Gold' -- Bright yellow flowers in early spring. Easy to grow from seed. Drought-tolerant.
Aquilegia (Columbine) -- There are several small columbine species that are perfect for rock gardens. They bloom in a variety of colors in May and June.
Aster alpinus -- Alpine aster blooms in May and June with dark violet-blue, soft lavender-blue, or rich pink flowers.
Aubrieta 'Whitewell Gem' -- Spreading mounds of violet-purple flowers in spring. Easy to grow from seed.
Campanula carpatica -- Lavender-blue, cup-shaped flowers on compact plants.
Campanula rotundifolia -- Violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers on spreading plants.
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' -- Dwarf delphinium with ultramarine blue flowers. Short-lived perennial.
Dianthus arenarius -- Fragrant, pure white, fringed flowers on mounding plants. Drought-tolerant perennial. Easy to grow from seed.
Dianthus cruentus (Blood Carnation) -- A rare species that is barely hardy in our zone 5b garden. The flowers are a wonderful shade of dark red.
Dianthus deltoides 'Brilliant', 'Flashing Light' or 'Arctic Fire' -- Spreading mats of bright red, crimson or white flowers. Perfect for a rockery.
Dianthus pinifolius -- Small mounds of grass-like leaves. Crimson-red flowers. Rare perennial for the rock garden.
Digitalis obscura -- Sunset-red and gold flowers with red veins and spots. Surprisingly drought tolerant for a digitalis species.
Dracocephalum ruyschiana -- Rare perennial with deep blue, hooded flowers for a partly shaded rock garden.
Lavender 'Lady' -- Compact variety with highly fragrant, lavender-blue flowers. Cut back by half after blooming to keep the plants shapely.
Lychnis viscaria 'Feuer' -- Brilliant, reddish-pink flowers. Relatively compact.
Oenothera missouriensis -- Native perennial with lemon-yellow flowers. Nice in a large rock garden.
Penstemon angustifolius -- Small penstemon species with lavender-blue flowers. Nice in a rock garden or container.
Polemonium boreale 'Heavenly Habit' -- Compact Jacob's Ladder with ferny foliage and lavender-blue flowers.
Scutellaria resinosa 'Smoky Hills' -- Deep purple-blue flowers tipped with white. Compact, rounded plants that form neat mounds.
Thymus serpyllum -- Creeping Thyme. Excellent for planting between paving stones or large rocks. Fills in all the cracks. Drought-tolerant.
Viola cornuta 'Bowles Black' -- A small viola with very dark flowers. It self sows abundantly in the spaces between rocks and larger perennials.
Related Articles
Container Flower Seeds -- The best annuals and perennials for containers.
Drought-Tolerant Flowers -- Save water and still have a beautiful garden.
Shade-Tolerant Flowers -- Annuals and perennials for difficult shady spots.
Other Resources
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