Best perennials for a rock garden: 15 low-maintenance plants and flowers
Updated: Jun 22, 2023
Are you looking for a way to spruce up your outdoor space without all the fuss? Meet rock gardens. Not only do they require very little upkeep, but they also use minimal water, making them an eco-friendly option.
Plus, they instantly add a unique touch to your garden that'll be the envy of all your neighbors.
Know what else is great about rock gardens? They're the perfect spot to grow tiny plants and cute little flowers.
So what are you waiting for? Get rockin' and create a garden that's both low maintenance and stone-cold gorgeous to look at.
What are rock gardens?
Rock gardens are a style of landscaping designed to mimic the natural beauty of rocky, stone-covered terrain. It’s basically an area of your garden or yard covered with rocks and stones of all shapes and sizes. If you’re creating one from scratch, be sure to lay stones in an organic, natural way — not in uniform lines or rows. You want the rocks to look like they’ve been there for centuries.
Fill the spaces between the rocks and stones with small, low-growing perennials (ones that come back year after year) and flowers that thrive in rocky, well-draining soil.
What flowers and plants work the best in a rock garden? Glad you asked!
Let’s look at the best perennials for your rock garden and how to plant and care for them.
Best low-maintenance perennials for a rock garden
Liatris
This hardy perennial grows up to 80 cm (31.5 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It’s a showy plant with spikes of purple or white flowers that bloom in the summer. Liatris prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade.
Dianthus I Pinks
This beautiful perennial is great for rock gardens, growing up to 30 cm (12 inches) tall and 30 cm (12 inches) wide. It produces fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the summer. Dianthus loves well-drained soil and full sun.
Campanula | Bellflower
This versatile perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It produces clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white, and blooms in the late spring and early summer. Campanula grows best in well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Sedum | Stonecrop
This low-growing perennial is popular for rock gardens, growing up to 20 cm (8 inches) tall and 30 cm (12 inches) wide. It’s covered with clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, and white, and blooms in the late summer and early fall. Sedum prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Heuchera | Coral Bells
This stunning perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 45 cm (18 inches). It produces spikes of delicate flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the summer. Heuchera likes well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Astrantia | Greater Masterwort
This beautiful perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It comes alive with clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the summer. Astrantia needs well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Phlox
This popular rock garden perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It boasts clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the late spring and early summer. Phlox does best in well-drained soil and full sun.
Dicentra | Bleeding Hearts
This elegant perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It shows off with delicate, heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the spring and early summer. Dicentra likes well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Sempervivum | House Leek
This hardy perennial grows up to 15 cm (6 inches) tall and has a spread of 15 cm (6 inches). It’s covered in rosettes of colorful leaves in shades of green, red, and purple, and blooms in the summer. Sempervivum prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
Erodium | Common Stork’s Bill
This low-growing perennial is a fantastic choice for rock gardens, growing up to 30 cm (12 inches) tall and 30 cm (12 inches) wide. You’ll enjoy delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, and blooms in the spring and early summer. Erodium needs well-drained soil and full sun.
Saxifraga | Strawberry Begonia
This low-growing perennial grows up to 15 cm (6 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It produces delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, and blooms in the spring and early summer. Saxifraga prefers well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Alchemilla | Lady’s Mantle
This hardy perennial grows up to 60 cm (24 inches) tall and has a spread of 60 cm (24 inches). It produces delicate, lady’s mantle-like leaves and spikes of yellow-green flowers and blooms in the spring and summer. Alchemilla does well in rock gardens with well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun.
Amsonia | Bluestar
This attractive perennial grows up to 90 cm (36 inches) tall and has a spread of 90 cm (36 inches). It boasts clusters of blue or yellow flowers, and blooms in the spring and early summer. Amsonia loves well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Armeria | Thrift
This low-growing perennial grows up to 30 cm (12 inches) tall and has a spread of 45 cm (18 inches). You’ll get to enjoy spikes of delicate, ball-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and blooms in the spring and summer. Armeria needs well-drained soil and full sun.
Thymus | Garden Thyme
This hardy perennial grows up to 30 cm (12 inches) tall and has a spread of 30 cm (12 inches). It produces fragrant, edible flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, and blooms in the spring and summer. Thymus prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
How to plant and care for perennials in a rock garden
Rock gardens are a beautiful way to show off different types of low-growing perennials in your landscape. By following the guidelines below, you can ensure that your perennials thrive in your rock garden setting.
Prepare the soil. Make sure the soil in your rock garden is well-draining, as most perennials need this type of soil. If necessary, help your soil out by adding sand or grit to improve drainage.
Choose the right plants. Select perennials that are suitable for the light and soil conditions in your rock garden. Is it really shady? Or sitting in full sun? Consider the height and spread of the plants, as well as their blooming times and flower colors.
Plant at the right time. Perennials are best planted in the spring or fall when the temperatures are cool and the soil is moist. Make sure to follow the planting instructions on the plant tag or label. Or check with your local plant nursery for help.
Water properly. Most perennials in rock gardens are drought-tolerant and do not require much water. Make sure to water the plants deeply once a week, especially during the dry summer months.
Provide adequate sunlight. Make sure your rock garden receives adequate sunlight for the plants you have chosen. Most perennials prefer full sun to partial shade. If you’ve set up your rock garden in a shady corner of your space, take a look at shade-loving perennials here for ones that will love their new home.
