To create this long-blooming rock garden border, you'll need a variety of perennials that provides a pleasing mix of colors and textures to contrast with the large boulders among them. Blooming beauties like daylily, Shasta daisy, lavender, and astilbe will turn a drab, rocky landscape into a tapestry of bright colors that will last you through the season. Either plant around a naturally rocky area in your yard, or bring in a few well placed stones to create the perfect backdrop for this long-blooming rock garden plan.
Plants for Creating the Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan
The hardworking perennials in this garden design just need a spot in full sun and well-drained soil to look their best.
- 5 Astilbe 'Weisse Gloria': Zones 4-8
- 10 Astilbe 'Feuer': Zones 5-8
- 6 Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'David'): Zones 4-8
- 3 Milky bellflower (Campanula lactiflora 'Loddon Anna'): Zones 4-8
- 3 Beardtongue (Penstemon grandiflorus): Zones 3-9
- 6 Campanula 'Birch Hybrid': Zones 4-7
- 3 Meadow phlox (Phlox maculata 'Rosalinde'): Zones 5-8
- 9 Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.): Zones 4-9
- 6 Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum): Zones 5-8
- 3 Red valerian (Centranthus ruber): Zones 5-8
- 12 Thread-leaved tickseed (Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'): Zones 4-9
- 3 Speedwell (Veronica spicata 'Red Fox'): Zones 3-8
- 3 Lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina): Zones 4-8
- 3 Monkshood (Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire'): Zones 3-7
- 3 Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red': Zones 2-8
- 3 Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis): Zones 4-7
- 12 Lily (Lilium spp.): Zones 4-9
- 3 Bee balm (Monarda didyma): Zones 4-9
- 1 Wormwood (Artemisia arborescens): Zones 5-9
- 3 Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana): Zones 4-8
- 3 Cranesbill (Geranium spp.): Zones 4-9
- 3 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Zones 5-8
If you aren't able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes.
Because some plants can become overly aggressive and spread out of control in certain climates, always check which species are considered invasive in your area before planting something unfamiliar in your garden.
Get the Free Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan
This garden design includes an illustrated version of the planted garden, a detailed layout diagram, a list of plants for the garden as shown, and complete instructions for installing the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can plants grow in rocky soil?
Some plants are able to grow perfectly fine in and around rocks. These are typically plants that need excellent drainage, which rocky soil usually offers, or alpine type plants that are native to rocky areas.
- How do you choose the best plants for rock gardens?
Check your plant's soil requirements to make sure the plant will survive in the area. It's also a great idea to choose smaller, softer plants to complement the size of the rocks and soften the appearance of their hard edges.
- How do you start a garden in rocky soil?
You should dig holes deeper than usual to make sure the roots can establish themselves. You might also want to remove larger rocks in the area to give the roots more room to grow.
