The rock garden plants suitable for our Central European climate come from the high mountain regions of the world, with the exception of the continents of Australia and Antarctica. In general, the climatic conditions prevailing there are similar to our Central European climate, so that many of the typical rock garden plants are also extremely hardy in the home garden. However, very wet winters can be problematic.
Which rock garden plants are hardy?
Winter-hardy rock garden plants usually come from high mountain regions and prefer sunny, well-drained locations. Popular species include sedum, carpet phlox, dwarf broom, houseleek, spurge, Alpine bells, balloon flower, cranesbill, gentian and carnations. Bergenia, false berries and moss saxifrage are suitable for shady locations.
Protect rock garden plants from moisture in winter
In their natural habitat, mountain plants spend the cold season under a blanket of snow that is often meters high and therefore remain relatively dry, shielded from other external weather influences. This blanket of snow often remains from October to May, especially in the high mountains, so that typical rock garden plants have a long winter break. During a rainy average winter in Central Europe, many of these plants suffer greatly from excess moisture and therefore need to be protected from it. Possible measures not only against rain, but also against cold frosts include:
- Glass or plexiglass panes over the plant
- Fir or spruce branches
- a frost protection fleece
Remember to remove fleeces and sticks on sunny days with temperatures above zero so that no light-seeking shoots can develop.
The most beautiful hardy plants for the rock garden
Most rock garden plants feel very comfortable in a sunny spot, but some plants also thrive in darker locations. Sun lovers in particular should be protected from cold frosts, as these can cause the above-ground parts of the plant to freeze.
Rock garden plants for sunny locations
The following species have proven successful in rock gardens in sunny locations:
- Sedum (Sedum): loves dryness and definitely needs good moisture protection
- Carpet or upholstery phlox (phlox): full sun location, good drainage. Moisture protection especially for wild species.
- Dwarf gorse (Genista sagitalis): classic, preference for rather bright locations
- Houseleek (Sempervivum): full sun, very dry location; prefers dry, hot planting areas
- Spurge (Euphorbia): very dry and full sun location, light winter protection required
- Alpine bells (Soldanella): native mountain plant, needs a lot of sun and a rather moist location
- Balloon flower (Platycodon): prefers a sunny, rather moist location
- Storksbill (Geranium): some alpine species well suited for the rock garden, sunny location
- Gentian (Gentiana): native spring bloomer with intense flower color, sunny and rather moist location
- Cloves (Dianthus): great variety of species and varieties. Easy to care for in sunny and rather dry locations
The list given is of course not complete, because specialist retailers have a very large selection of hardy plants for the rock garden. Naturally, native species are particularly suitable, but plants from regions with similar climatic conditions also thrive here.
Rock garden plants for semi-shaded / shady locations
A few rock garden plants also feel comfortable in darker locations. These include these species:
- Bergenia (Bergenia): thrives in both shade and sun, easy to care for and undemanding
- Mockberry (Gaultheria): requires little light, but moist and acidic soil
- Moss saxifrage (Saxifraga arendsii or S. hypnoides): beautiful ground cover, prefers moist and shady locations
Tip
Mice also feel very comfortable under a warm winter fleece. Therefore, set up mouse traps as a precaution.
