Tag Archives: plants for rock walls

Horticulture Report: Rock Rose

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Plant Name:  Helianthemum nummularium

Common name:  Sun Rose or Rock Rose

Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial

Plant Height:  8” – 10”

Plant Width:  12” – 16”

Bloom Time:  June – August

Flower Color:  Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Multicolored

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Dry, Alkaline, Rocky, Sandy Soil;

Water Needs: Dry; Low

Fire Resistant:  YES – Zone 1:    Plant 30+ feet from Structure

Attributes: Mounding Growth Habit; Drought Tolerant; Evergreen with Grey-Green Foliage; Attracts Bees/Butterflies.

Uses:  Rock Gardens; Edging Plant; Ground cover; Border Front.

Note: Shear Plants after flowering to encourage additional growth; each flower opens for only one day.

Native to: Europe; Asia Minor

Oregon Native:   NO

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 7

Horticulture Report: Helichrysum petiolare

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Plant Name:  Helichrysum petiolarelicorice-plant1.jpg
Common name:  Licorice plant
Plant type: Annual
(Tender Perennial Zones 9-11)
Height: 6-9 inches
Spread: 1-3 ft
Bloom: White, but Insignificant
Exposure: Full Sun – Part Shade
Soil Requirements:  Average
Water Needs: Dry to medium
Attributes:   Dense trailing silvery leaves, Tolerates poor soil & drought
Notes: Good drainage is a must!
Uses:  Annual, Hanging Baskets, Containers, Rock walls, Annual ground-cover
Native to: Southern Africa
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11

Filling in the Spaces: Part 2

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moss phloxCreeping Phlox/ Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata): Vigorous mat-forming 6” high plant that rambles through rocks and drapes over rock walls. Dense ground cover excellent for controlling erosion on slopes.  Note: Not for pathways, it does not tolerate foot traffic.  Perennial,  Full sun,  Flowers can be white, rose, hot pink or magenta, Deer Resistant. USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.

Hen _ChicksHens-and-chicks (Sempervivum)
Ground-hugging, cold hardy, sun loving, drought tolerant succulent.  Leaves form in rosette shapes, propagate by offsets (chicks). With 3,000 cultivars available leaf colors range from shades of green, to silver-blues,  to dark purple, and delicate pink. Use in rock gardens, containers or areas you want to “fill-in”.  Perennial,  Full sun to Part Sun,  Likes Sandy/ Gritty Soil,  Drought Tolerant, Deer proof. Groundcover. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10.

Irish moss Sagina_subulataIrish Moss/Corsican Pearl Wort (Sagina subulata)
Handsome lush low-growing green moss that forms a carpet-like foliage 1″ tall. Tiny translucent star-shaped white flowers. Irish Moss is prefect for rock gardens, between stone or paver pathways. Perennial,  Evergreen, Full or Part Shade,  Needs Water & Well-Draining Soil, White Flowers, Deer Proof, Groundcover. USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 10.

Article by Carlotta Lucas

Horticulture Report:Rock Rose

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Plant Name: Helianthemum   heliamthemum
Common name: Rock Rose
Plant type: Evergreen, or Semi-evergreen, Shrubby Perennial
Height:   6-12 inches
Spread: 1-3 feet

Bloom Time: May – June
Flower Color: Various – White, Yellow, Red, Pink, Scarlet, Orange.
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well Drained Rocky to Sandy Soil.

Water Needs: Low
Attributes:  Good in Alpine & Rock Gardens, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Evergreen Good accent plant with texture & form, Gray Foliage & Dark Green Foliage.
Uses: Attracts Butterflies,  Rock gardens, Container, Ground Cover, Xeriscape Gardens.
USDA Zone: 5-8  (check cultivar)

Horticulture Report: Creeping Rosemary

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Plant Name: Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’ (Creeping Rosemary)rosmarinus-officinalis-prostratus
Plant type: Evergreen Shrub
Height:   1 foot
Spread: 2- 5 feet
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: Bluish purple
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Well-drained average soil
Water Needs: Medium, drought tolerant
Attributes:  Hardy, Fast-growing, Prostrate habit, Attractive flowers, Strong pine-like fragrance & flavor, Cascades.
Note: Prone to aerial blight, bacterial leaf spots, and several root rots if too wet.
Uses: Culinary Herb, Beds, Containers, Ground Cover, Rockery, Top of Dry Wall
USDA Zone: 8-11  (Note: Only Hardy to 200 F)