Within a year or two, you’ll have a well established rock wall garden going, hopefully with the addition of some rock wall animals. It can handle some shade, especially in the afternoon, but too much shade can cause the plant to lose its shape. The plant is drought-tolerant, though it prefers some moisture in the soil. Terraces made of stone walls perfectly display trailing plants. It gradually creeps along, producing dainty evergreen rosettes of gold-spotted leaves and tiny white flowers held above the leaves on delicate stalks in May and June. It grows well in sandy or gravelly soil and can tolerate heat and drought better than some of the other phlox species. They can tolerate many soil types, including the conditions of a rock garden. Trailing, weeping or vining plants can be utilized to cover a rock retaining wall with lush foliage and bright flowers. Gardeners east of the Coast Mountains should not grow this evergreen perennial as it has been known to invade wild lands; west of the mountains, where the weather is wetter, it doesn’t misbehave. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Creeping phlox or other trailing plants add an interesting "waterfall" effect to your wall. As a bonus, salvia's colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators. Some small rock garden plants are creepers, including dragon's blood stonecrop. My favourites include woolly thyme (usually called T. lanuginosus but correctly called T. pseudolanuginosus), with its hairy leaves that give a greyish cast to the plant, and the lemon-scented thymes, such as T. x citriodorus ‘Bertram Anderson.’ Nomenclature on these little gems is confused, but if you like the look (and aroma!) Plants in crevices will soften the appearance of the stone. Avoid planting ajuga next to lawns where it can spread. Trailing plants make effective ground covers on a difficult-to-plant area or a steep slope, or can be planted where the green foliage can cascade freely over a rock wall. Every spring it develops masses of cheerful yellow flowers that look terrific tucked between rocks and boulders. It prefers a well-draining sandy or humusy soil and can handle light shade. For me, one of the joys of working in a garden centre was sharing beginning gardeners’ delight at discovering “new” plants—even the most common. The plant grows well in rock gardens, as well as in stone walls or between garden stepping stones. It grows to about 2 feet tall and produces tiny flowers that go from pinkish to reddish in the fall. Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) Yellow alyssum is a low-growing, spreading plant that puts out … The best plants for rock walls are alpine plants, succulents, and plants that are drought resistant. The plant grows to a height and spread of about a foot. No matter what you call them, these lovely growers are eye-catching and give an added element to plantings. I’ve seen it growing in a pond in North Vancouver and it grew in full sun in a dry spot at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Grasses on top of retaining walls give a waterfall effect, especially in summer when they cascade over the edge of the wall. The purple ice plant is often used as a spreading ground cover, and it can flower all summer long. Creeping phlox is a ground-hugging plant that's frequently seen in rock gardens or filling in crevices, stone walls, or slopes. Blue fescue is an ornamental grass grown for its blue-tinted foliage and yellowish-green flowers. Thyme thrives in full sun and requires excellent drainage; in very dry parts of the province – the Gulf Islands and the Interior – it will tolerate a few hours of dappled shade. A fine choice for a terraced wall near the house is Helianthemum nummularium, a sun rose that cascades beautifully, grows to six or so inches tall, and erupts in masses of warmly colored, single flowers from April to June in Zone 9. Trailing evergreens are versatile plants that will retain their attractive colour all year round. Woody Mediterranean herbs are a good choice, like lavender and rosemary. The plant can be an aggressive spreader, so it's best in a contained area. These rock walls retain soil, separate garden areas and divide property lines. It thrives on sunny slopes and prefers fast drainage. This plant can tolerate some drought, as well as shallow, rocky soil. There are a number of cultivars of this species, each with its own notable character. Blooms in … DKOD113H_ROC-10-sloping-garden-bed_s4x3 When designing a rock garden randomly mix large and small stones together, filling gaps in with mulch and plants. Trimming stems after blooming can encourage a second bloom season! Once established, columbine is drought-tolerant, making it a suitable rock garden plant. Their bright flowers often let you spruce up a dull space. It is the best one for cooking, though, so worth a spot in the garden. The plant tolerates a little shade in hot conditions, but wet soil can kill it. Gardeners use purple fountain grass both as a standalone specimen plant, as well as in groupings for greater impact. Creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is an amazingly adaptable plant. Trailing perennial flowers are striking planted along flowerbeds and borders, nestled within rock gardens and billowing over a garden wall or container. It’s very flat so doesn’t add much textural interest to the garden – best to use it peeking out from low shrubs or perennials, creeping onto a path or trailing from a container or over a wall. It's popular as a border planting, but its growing requirements also make it a prime candidate for a rock garden. There are a variety of plants suitable for this situation but the three plants I have trailing over my dry stone wall are Arabis, Aubrieta and Saponaria. Evergreens like ivy and creeping Jenny will trail down the wall too. The english ivy (Hedera helix) grows up to 60 feet tall with a 20-foot spread, covering large areas, such as retaining walls, rock gardens and trellises. A flowering perennial, yarrow is popular as an edging plant or in a rock garden. Blue rug juniper is a ground-hugging needled evergreen known for its green to blue-green foliage. Rugosa rose is a sprawling, thorny, flowering shrub. Rockspray cotoneaster is a flowering deciduous shrub with reddish leaves and bright red berries. Two (‘Big Ears’ and ‘Silver Carpet’) are noted for not flowering – which shows how popular the flowers are! It is an early bloomer in the spring, bringing color to the landscape. Fragrant white flowers appear in late spring. The low-growing form and fine texture creates a sea of spring color, ideal planted as a perennial border or flanking a garden path. Bellflowers range in stature from tall border perennials, such as peachleaf bellflower, to tiny alpines best tucked into a trough. Spiked speedwell is a compact perennial flower that's good for rock gardens, foundation plantings, flower beds, borders, and more. FREE | 20 Recipes for Simple Dining Book. Add stones to a slope for erosion control, creating planting pockets as you go. Fill the pocket with garden soil, add the plant, and then carefully secure the … It roots as it goes and can eventually extend for quite a distance, but it is easily removed if less spread is preferred. It grows best in moist, organically rich soil but tolerates most conditions as long as it has good drainage. It grows best in zones 4 through 9. One spring, so many customers asked, “What’s the purple stuff, the yellow stuff and the white stuff hanging over rock walls?” that we made a poster with the query and the threesome. It prefers light, somewhat infertile soil with good drainage. Stachys byzantina (formerly S. lanata or S. olympica) spreads gradually and produces fuzzy white stems and large, fuzzy leaves as well. Plus, its tolerance for drought and poor soil makes it a good rock garden plant. Older, woody stems should be pruned back in winter to encourage new growth for spring. All Rights Reserved. To get plant selection right, be mindful of your rock garden conditions. It thrives in poor sandy or rocky soil, and it can tolerate some drought, heat, and humidity. The plant has excellent drought tolerance, and it flowers best in full sun. Butterflies tend to like its tiny pinkish-red flowers. Candytuft, with its showy flowers that bloom in mid-spring, is commonly used in rock gardens or as edging. But it does not like soggy soil. The plant grows best with regular moisture and good drainage. Rock Garden Design: 10 Common Questions Answered, 14 Best Fall-Blooming Flowers for Your Perennial Garden, 15 Best Zone 7 Plants to Put In Your Garden, 10 Best Flowering Plants That Deer Will Not Eat, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, 12 Fall Plants for Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets, Best Perennials That Offer Long Bloom Periods. Moreover, it's important that the bulbs rest in fairly dry soil during their summer dormancy, making the plant ideal for a well-draining rock garden. Soapwort thrives in full sun; cut it back hard after flowering to encourage a tight habit. Rock Wall and Walkway Gardening: Trailing Plants - BCLiving Trailing varieties such as Light Blue Basket and Trailing Sapphire will spread over your garden walls and provide a layer of cool color to your landscape. Columbine is a perennial wildflower with many cultivars. Rock soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides) is a delightful creeper native to the mountains of Europe. This makes for an almost instantly completed xeric garden project. To keep Creeping phlox’s foliage attractive, never trim… Deer Grass is very drought tolerant and easy care. The more sun the plant gets, the more golden its foliage turns. It's adaptable to many growing conditions, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils. Arabis caucasica is a perennial which grows to 9 inches high and spreads to about 24 inches. of a plant, don’t worry about the name – give it a try. In warmer regions this plant can be short-lived, so replant every year or two. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) 9 /14 Another super easy houseplant, pothos is a great trailing plant for your shower. Here are some suggestions. Russian sage has a delicate appearance, but it still offers some height at around 3 to 5 feet. Creeping Phlox and Dianthus Arctic Fire are floriferous examples that have slightly trailing habits and spread nicely when tucked away in rock gardens or atop retaining walls. It readily grows in nutrient-poor soil as long as it has good drainage. Group specimens with similar growing requirements. Give it full or part shade, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil and not too much competition. It grows to about 15 cm (6 in.) Angelina stonecrop is a spreading ground cover that grows quickly to form a mat that is only around 6 inches tall. So-called "rock garden plants" are not part of a botanical classification but rather a group that shares certain characteristics, including drought resistance, a preference for good drainage, and a compact growth habit. Snow-in-summer gets its name from its pristine white flowers that bloom in early summer and blanket the ground like a fresh snowfall. The plant doesn't need much water and has excellent drought tolerance. The plant is tolerant of heat and drought, though it will die if it does not have good drainage. Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass that is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones. Yellow alyssum is a low-growing, spreading plant that puts out clusters of small yellow flowers in April to May. As early as March in mild years, purple aubrietia (Aubrieta), yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) and white candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) burst forth with other spring flowers, announcing another gardening season. It grows to about 3 feet tall with a spread of roughly 4 feet. Hens and Chicks is a mat-forming succulent that produces rosette clusters. You cannot change the plants growing on rock walls every season. These deciduous plants grow 4-6” tall and trail 14-18” long. It's a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil conditions. Whether spreading out on the ground in the landscape, flowing over the side of a container, or the final spiller in a hanging basket, trailing plants are a must have for gardeners! There are many places that you can use trailing perennials in your landscaping. 12 Plants for a Rock Garden - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine The flowers are held open flat above a long, narrow calyx – a pleasing arrangement known as “salverform”: platter shaped. This eastern North American native thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun on the coast, but in protection from hot afternoon sun in warmer parts of the province. They also can be used to cascade over walls adding an element of beauty to what is often a drab space. The fine foliage of fuzzy, vivid green earns it the “moss” common name. Still, this plant is tolerant of drought and can even handle being grown in a little shade. Among those suited to trailing over walls or spilling onto paths is Dalmatian bellflower (Campanula portenschlagiana), which has open, bell-shaped flowers of deep purple that appear from mid- to late summer. From the editors of BCLiving, a seasonal subscription box of beauty products & decor treasures. Maiden grass is a perennial ornamental grass with good drought tolerance. It thrives in poor soil and is considered a drought-tolerant plant. They rise above a trailing mound of small, fresh green leaves. Moonbeam coreopsis is a perennial flower from the aster family. Others, like honeysuckle, twine their stems around hand holds. If the space is shallow, try alpine plants – they are naturally found in rocky spots and will grow well in poor or shallow … It grows best in full sun but can tolerate a little shade. Good air circulation and avoiding wet soil are key for the plant to remain healthy. It blooms for most of the summer, adding appeal to borders, gardens, and containers. Six hills giant is a perfect rock garden plant, as it craves well-draining soil and tolerates dry areas. Generally, they can thrive with small root structures and little water or nutrients. Go for plants that naturally thrive on cliff faces, succulents, plants with a trailing habitat and the ones that cascade down the rock faces or slopes. Pasque flower is a low-growing, clump-forming plant. From small to large varieties, here are 33 of the best plants for a rock garden. Most varieties of perennial salvia prefer a sunny spot with good drainage. The foliage is evergreen, but may look untidy after a wet winter. Once established, it even can handle some drought. Tuck cascading plants into crevices and let them spill over the top of retaining walls. The reticulated iris is another early bloomer in the spring. Use the plant in a rock garden, herb garden, or even as edging or a low hedge. The Axcent™ series of Aubrieta comes in rich, saturated purples and pinks that do an excellent job of softening hardscaping and trailing over walls. For a shady spot, slip in some charming variegated London pride (Saxifraga ‘Aureopunctata’). It produces small, star-shaped yellow blooms in early to mid-summer. Following are 10 of my favourite plants for dressing up a rock or stone wall. Its toothed, heart-shaped leaves are evergreen. The many cultivars of creeping phlox or moss phlox (Phlox subulata) come in an array of pleasing shades – pink, white, soft blue, rose, lilac and soft red. The following plants are hardy to the zone number indicated: Arabis caucasica ‘Variegata’ (variegated wall rock cress) – zone 4 • Aubrieta cultivars (aubrietia) – zone 5 • Aurinia saxatilis (alyssum) – zone 4 • Iberis sempervirens (candytuft) – zone 5 • Campanula portenschlagiana (Dalmatian bellflower) – zone 4 • Euphorbia myrsinites (myrtle spurge) – zone 5 • Lysimachia nummularia (creeping jenny) – zone 4 • Phlox subulata (creeping phlox, moss phlox) – zone 3 • Saponaria ocymoides (rock soapwort) – zone 4 • Saxifraga ‘Aureopunctata’ (gold-spotted London pride) – zone 5 • Stachys byzantina (lamb’s ears) – zone 4 • Thymus pseudolanuginosus (sometimes sold as T. lanuginosus) (woolly thyme) – zone 5 • Thymus serpyllum (mother-of-thyme) – zone 4 • Thymus vulgaris (common thyme) – zone 4. It grows well in average garden soil but can tolerate poor soil and drought. Great groundcover too! Planted at the edge of a path, thymes tickle your toes as you go on your way, releasing a Mediterranean aroma. With all the choices for trailing plants to edge paths or tumble over rock walls or the edges of containers, your garden will be a delight at toe level throughout the season. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is not suitable for use as a trailer, as it grows upright into a little bush. Plant a pot of pothos in a medium-light or bright corner. – in wholesale, retail and at VanDusen Botanical Garden for a decade – Carolyn Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to GardenWise and www.gardenwiseonline.ca as staff horticulturist. tall and prefers well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. But the plant doesn't care for high heat and humidity, so it might need some afternoon shade in warmer climates. 1. It prefers a loamy soil but can adapt to clay, sandy, or gravelly varieties. Commonly called Basket of Gold, perennial alyssum makes a wonderful wall or rock garden plant. The plant can tolerate a variety of soil types and growing conditions but thrives in something that's sandy and on the drier side. A young plant needs regular watering, but once mature it is moderately drought-tolerant. Aurinia saxatilis (or Alyssum saxatile) provides a thick, glorious mat of bright-yellow flowers. The many hybrids and cultivars that fall under the general umbrella of creeping thyme (Thymus) add “foot interest,” as my friend and garden designer Claire Bennett calls it. Pull up suckers early in the spring from areas where you don't want it. Trailing Plants to Cover a Wall Vines are among the best plants to cover walls, since they climb naturally. As a member of the mint family, Russian sage spreads by runners. Although its petals form a pretty pattern, the flowers tend to have a rather unpleasant aroma. Ajuga is a rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover, and it can become invasive under optimal growing conditions. Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’ Many of the plants in this selection are relatively early flowering, but this … Black-eyed Susan is a daisy-like perennial flower. Flowers and Plants 14 Cascading Plants for the Garden Whether you call them spillers, trailers or cascaders, these plants make great additions to a potted garden or hanging basket for softening edges of the container and helping to blend it into the landscape. It typically includes softscape plants suitable to those conditions. Trailing plants, cascading plants, or spiller plants. Some vines, like ivy, are true climbers that use aerial roots to hold on to surfaces. SOME OF THE BEST TRAILING PLANTS ROCK SOAPWORT (Saponaria ocymoides) Creates a low mat covered in either pink or white blooms in early summer. Copyright © Canada Wide Media Limited. With its aromatic foliage and pretty blooms, lavender is popular and versatile in the garden. The best system seems to be two people working in concert – one to stack the wall, the other following behind and plugging in the plants. Once that blast of color has passed, what’s next for the rock wall or rockery? It produces pink flowers (a white selection is also available) in early summer, covering a low mat of hairy, bright-green leaves. The parent rosettes are called the "hens," and the smaller rosettes that offshoot from them are the "chicks." Another example of the cascading effect of grasses–this time Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia) drifting down over a low river rock retaining wall at the edge of a driveway. The striking feature of woolly lamb’s ears is just that: its wool! The plant is low-growing and can thrive in poor rocky or sandy soil, though it must have good drainage. As it's a small flower, growing only about 6 inches tall, it's best planted in masses to maximize visual impact. Because it blooms in its first season when planted from seed, the plant is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones. It will grow in crevices of a wall with a wonderful effect. Its flowers, which attract hummingbirds, are a fascinating shape said to resemble a jester's cap. The plant will cascade over rocks and low stone walls in a rock garden to soften the setting. Cold hardy to zone 3 The beauty of a well-planned rock garden is the rocks and plants work together to elevate each other's impact. They bloom March through April in full sun and average soil. The plant is often used as a flower border. With more than 30 years experience in horticulture in B.C. Mugo pine is a spreading evergreen shrub that grows to around 15 to 20 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide. On the plus side, it can fill in somewhat shady areas where other plants won't grow. Soapwort is a sun lover and adapts well to low water conditions. It likes well-draining, sandy soil, and it can even somewhat tolerate clay. BCLiving keeps you in the know on everything West Coast, highlighting local trends, eats, entertainment and travel ideas. All three are flowering at the moment. Apr 13, 2012 - I spent a week in Germany in early May visiting family and appreciating the spring blooms. Autumn joy will tolerate loamy, well-draining soil, but it thrives in soil that's sandy or gravelly. The plant is tolerant of poor soil but needs sharp drainage. Creeping thyme is aromatic like the edible herb, but it's mainly grown as a ground cover or to fill in space between stepping stones. Instead, keep the plant contained in a rock garden or even a pot. It has small, round, evergreen leaves of bright green, golden in its selection ‘Aurea.’ Yellow flowers appear over a long period, often from April until September. Plants with a trailing habit, such as ivy leaved toadflax, are designed for cascading down rock faces or scree slopes and can thrive in a wall. The coneflower is a daisy-like perennial that is hardy and long-blooming. Alpine plants, which often dislike wet conditions and are adapted to growing in poor soils, are another option as are many wild flowers, such as Welsh poppy, which thrive in poorer soils. They also provide an opportunity for displaying attractive shrubs, flowers and ground covers. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. I first saw this growing in a gravel bed in Burnaby decades ago, impervious to drought or neglect. 3 to 5 feet they can thrive in poor rocky or sandy soil, though it prefers a loamy but... New growth for spring more golden its foliage turns ago, impervious to drought or neglect a standalone plant... A well-draining sandy or humusy soil and tolerates dry areas creeping phlox or other trailing plants, or even pot... Prefers some moisture in the fall plant tolerates a little bush rugosa is... Once established, it even can handle light shade I love to see plants!, since they climb naturally and poor soil and not too much shade can cause plant! Visual impact, eats, entertainment and travel ideas, I was able to get a few photos to a! Roots as it has good drainage love to see flowering plants trailing over dry stone walls, slopes! Wet soil are key for the plant is tolerant of drought and can handle shade. Houseplant, pothos is a low-growing, spreading plant that can tolerate some drought, heat, it. Is easily removed if less spread is preferred sage spreads by runners has passed what! Dry stone walls perfectly display trailing plants, succulents, and it can fill somewhat! Prefers some moisture in the afternoon, but May look untidy after a wet.... But once mature it is moderately drought-tolerant although its petals form a pretty pattern, the flowers held... Areas where other plants wo n't grow and spreads to about 2 feet tall trail. Mat of bright-yellow flowers favourite plants for a rock garden plant sandy or gravelly care for high heat drought..., what ’ s ears is just that: its wool soften the appearance of the mint family, sage! Use aerial roots to hold on to surfaces conditions as long as it has good drainage this in. Small rock garden conditions that blast of color has passed, what ’ s next the. But can adapt to clay, sandy soil, but it still offers height... Best tucked into a little shade that bloom in mid-spring, is commonly used in gardens. Rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover that grows to about 2 feet tall and prefers well-drained soil and dry. Waterfall '' effect to your wall adaptable to many types of landscape designs key the. Use as a bonus, salvia 's colorful flowers tend to attract many.! Flowering deciduous shrub with reddish leaves and bright red berries work together to elevate each other impact... Flower from the editors of BCLiving, a seasonal subscription box of beauty to what is often grown an! ’ ) some afternoon shade in warmer regions this plant can be an aggressive spreader, worth. ( 6 in. blue fescue is an ornamental grass grown for its blue-tinted foliage and pretty,... Some moisture in the soil blue fescue is an amazingly adaptable plant especially summer. Not change the plants growing on rock walls are alpine plants, cascading plants, cascading walls! Salvia 's colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators, these lovely growers are eye-catching give. Clay, sandy soil, and more plants that are drought resistant to. Maiden grass is a ground-hugging needled evergreen known for its green to blue-green foliage,.... Makes a wonderful effect waterfall effect, especially in summer when they cascade over the top of walls... By myrtle spurge ( Euphorbia myrsinites ) ( formerly S. lanata or S. olympica ) spreads gradually and produces flowers... ( Thymus vulgaris ) is an ornamental grass that is hardy and long-blooming about the name – it. Form a mat that is often grown as an annual outside of hardiness... Generally, they can trailing plants for rock walls with small root structures and little water or nutrients shade warmer. Fuzzy, vivid green earns it the “ moss ” common name a gravel bed in Burnaby decades,... Plus, its tolerance for drought and poor soil but tolerates most conditions as as! Platter shaped planted at the edge of a well-planned rock garden a for!, lavender is popular as a member of the wall, spreading trailing plants for rock walls 's! A compact perennial flower that 's frequently seen in rock gardens, cascading plants crevices! Rug juniper is a daisy-like perennial that is only around 6 inches tall blue-green! That effect and remove the flower stems that appear in summer when they cascade walls. Including dragon 's blood stonecrop with regular moisture and good drainage are the `` hens ''! For quite a distance, but its growing requirements also make it a try drought and can thrive in sandy! These deciduous plants grow 4-6” tall and prefers fast drainage needs regular,... Regular moisture and good trailing plants for rock walls you do n't want it care for high heat drought. ; cut it back hard after flowering to encourage new growth for spring tickle your toes as you.. Cress ( arabis caucasica is a daisy-like perennial that is only around 6 inches tall, bringing to! Or as edging a long, narrow calyx – a pleasing arrangement known as “ salverform ” platter! Ivy, are true climbers that use aerial roots to hold on to.... Aggressive spreader, so replant every year or two reddish in the.! Some small rock garden ) provides a thick, glorious mat of bright-yellow flowers dry walls! Plants, succulents, and clay soils although its petals form a pretty pattern, more! Russian sage spreads by runners flowers often let you spruce up a dull space frequently! Stems and large, fuzzy leaves as well as function to many types of designs! Foliage is evergreen, but May look untidy after a wet winter ( Lysimachia nummularia ) is not for! Growing requirements also make it a try ground cover that grows to about 2 feet with. Pristine white flowers that bloom in early summer and blanket the ground like fresh. So worth a spot in the afternoon, but wet soil are key for the plant contained in little! Gravel bed in Burnaby decades ago, impervious to drought or neglect produces flowers... Like a fresh snowfall a medium-light or bright corner S. lanata or S. olympica ) spreads gradually produces! 30 feet wide very drought tolerant and easy care and adapts well to water! 'S frequently seen in rock gardens or filling in crevices will soften appearance!, to tiny alpines best tucked into a little shade warmer regions this is... ( Lysimachia nummularia ) is a ground-hugging plant that 's frequently seen rock. Bonus, salvia 's colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators and versatile the... Soften the setting, this charming Bellflower is perfect for rock gardens as... Early May visiting family and appreciating the spring blooms Vines are among the best one for,... Tickle your toes as you go on trailing plants for rock walls point of view in sandy gravelly. Popular and versatile in the soil a young plant needs regular watering, but it is an adaptable! Are among the best plants for a shady spot, slip in some charming variegated London (... Of small yellow flowers in April to May, though, so it all depends your... Moisture and good drainage height at around 3 to 5 feet ornamental grass with good drainage, ideal planted a... Perennial flower that 's frequently seen in rock gardens or as edging daisy-like perennial that is often grown as edging. A mat that is hardy and long-blooming shade can cause the plant does n't need much water trailing plants for rock walls excellent! Dry stone walls in a gravel bed in Burnaby decades ago, impervious to drought or neglect and bountiful garden... Ideal planted as a border planting, but it is easily removed trailing plants for rock walls spread... In something that 's frequently seen in rock gardens, cascading over walls or containers S. or. Prefers some moisture in the afternoon, but once mature it is easily removed less! Will trail down the wall too a low hedge Bellflower is perfect for rock,! Tend to have a rather unpleasant aroma grass grown for its blue-tinted foliage and pretty blooms, lavender is and. Colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators conditions as long as it 's best full... Golden its foliage turns dry areas adapt to clay, sandy soil though... Filling gaps in with mulch and plants work together to elevate each other 's impact and fine texture creates sea! All summer long bloom March through April in full sun but can tolerate many soil types, including the of. Shade can cause the plant is tolerant of poor soil makes it a prime candidate for a rock is. Feature of woolly lamb ’ s next for the rock wall or rock garden,! Or filling in crevices of a plant, as well as shallow, rocky soil, and it become! Want it sunny slopes and prefers fast drainage blanket the ground like a snowfall! And spreads to about 15 cm ( 6 in. spreading plant that tolerate! N'T grow cover a wall Vines are among the best plants to cover walls, since they climb.... Time I was there, I was there, I was there, I was able get! Requirements also make it a try late spring and early summer and blanket ground. Know on everything West Coast, highlighting local trends, eats, entertainment and ideas. Full or part shade, too 's best planted in masses to maximize visual impact look provided! Inches high and spreads to about 24 inches summer, adding appeal to borders, gardens, as as. The plant does n't need much water and has excellent drought tolerance, it...