Ground covers are cushion plants whose shoots remain very short and which can often cover larger areas within a short time. Many of the high mountain species and therefore suitable as stone plants belong to this group, because the prostrate growth means an adaptation to the adverse living conditions in the mountains. At this point we show you the most beautiful flowering ground cover for the local rock garden.

Ground cover plants like the alyssum are ideal for the easy-care rock garden

Alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

In addition to the gentian, the edelweiss is the typical mountain plant and should not be missing in any classic rock garden. Gentians, saxifrage, houseleek, bluebells and primroses are particularly suitable as plant neighbors.

Alyssum

The Alyssum is a well-known spring bloomer and forms dense cushions lying on the ground. The yellow flowers are in dense umbels and should be cut back after flowering. A proven variety is, for example, Alyssum montanum 'Berggold', which grows up to 15 centimeters high and forms a dense carpet of light yellow flowers.

Man Shield (Androsace)

The white-flowered Androsace carnea or the lilac-pink Androsace lanuginosa are particularly easy to keep. This cushion plant stays very low and tends to form loosely bred cushions, but it is quite fast-growing. However, the Androsace helvetica and Androsace alpina species native to Switzerland are somewhat difficult to care for and therefore not recommended for beginners.

Cat's Paw (Antennaria)

Cat's paws form dense, silver-grey carpets that are covered with dainty umbels of flowers resembling immortelle between May and June. They are particularly good for overgrowing flower bulbs.

Goose cress (Arabis)

The different types of goose cress are also a must for the rock garden. A particularly beautiful groundcover is the Arabis ferdinandi-coburgi 'Variegata', which can grow up to five centimeters high, with its white flowers and variegated white leaves.

Thrifts (Armenia)

Thrifts form dense, grassy cushions topped with white or pink flowers during the flowering period between May and July.

Blue Cushion (Aubrieta)

This ground cover forms a profuse bloom in blue, pink or red. Flowering time is between April and May.

Hornwort (Cerastium)

The white flowering tomentosum forms a silvery carpet and can quickly become a weed due to its strong growth.

Gentian (Gentiana)

Some gentian species form flat, either loose or dense cushions with shoots lying on the ground. The funnel-shaped flowers in blue, pink, purple, white or yellow can be seen between April and November, depending on the species and variety. The stalkless gentian, for example the varieties 'Coelestina', 'Frei', 'Alba' or 'JP Dark Blue', is particularly recommended as ground cover.

Cushion Phlox (Phlox)

The cushion phlox with its needle-like, dense leaflets forms dense, flat cushions. The pretty flowers appear between May and June. Phlox is one of the typical rock garden plants, although some dwarf species can also be cultivated very well in pots.

tips

When planting the rock garden, make sure to choose plants with different flowering times. This makes the area interesting all year round.

Category:

Garden design