Ivydene Gardens Rock Garden Plants Suitable for Small Gardens in Colour Wheel Gallery:
Rock Garden Plant Index: PQ

Rock Plant Colour Wheel - Flowers Link Map

Click on Number in Colour Wheel or Black sections above.

Botanical Plant Name

Request mail-order nursery name from America and another from European Union that does sell this plant.

Suit-ability

Type

Height and Spread in Inches

Soil

Position and Pro-tection

Flower Colour / Nearest Colour Wheel - Flowers Colour

Request donated photos of flower, foliage, seed and shape to be used in new plant description and comparison pages

Months of Flowering

Propa-gation

PAEDEROTA

bonarota

A

HP

4 x 6

A

PS

Opal blue

May

S

PAPAVER

alpinum

A

HP

6 x 6

A

Sun

White, yellow, red

June

S

PASSERINA

nivalis

A

SSE

6 x 8

A

Sun

Bright yellow

March

C

PENSTEMON

caespitosus

B

HE

3 x 8

A

Sun P

Lilac-purlpe

June

GC

campanulatus pulchellus (campanulatus)

A

SE

1 x 8

A

Sun

Purple, violet, blue

June

GC

davidsonii

B

SE

3 x 8

A

Sun

Lilac

June

GCS

menziesii (davidsonii)

B

SD

6 x 9

A

Sun

Violet-blue

June

GC

micranthus (procerus v procerus)

B

SE

4 x 9

A

Sun

Purple-blue

June

GC

microphyllus

B

SD

3 x 9

A

Sun

Violet-blue

June

GC

pinifolius

B

SE

3 x 8

A

Sun

Red-orange

June

GCS

rupicola

B

SE

4 x 8

A

Sun

Crimson-red

June

C

scouleri

A

SE

3 x 9

A

Sun

Lilac

June

GC

scouleri albus

A

SE

3 x 9

A

Sun

White

June

GC

PENTACHONDRA

pumila

C

SE

6 x 8

CN

S

White
Red

May
September

GCH

PERNETTYA

tasmanica (Gaultheria tasmanica)

C

SE

2 x 8

CN

S

White
Red

May
September

LGC

PETROCALLIS

pyrenaica (Crucifera petrocallis)

B

HE

2 x 5

D

Sun C

Lavender

May

GC

PETROPHYTUM

caespitosum

B

SSE

1 x 6

A

Sun C

White

July

GC

hendersonii

B

SSE

3 x 6

A

Sun C

White

July

GC

PHLOX

bryoides

B

SE

1 x 6

D

Sun C

White

May

GC

condensata

B

HE

6 x 6

B

Sun

White

May

S

douglasii

B

HE

2 x 8

B

Sun

Lilac

May

GC

douglasii alba

B

HE

2 x 8

B

Sun

White

May

GC

douglasii Boothman's Variety

B

HE

2 x 8

B

Sun

Mauve

May

GC

douglasii Eva

B

HE

2 x 8

B

Sun

Pink

May

GC

douglasii Snow Queen

B

HE

2 x 8

B

Sun

White

May

GC

nana ensifolia

A

SD

6 x 9

B

Sun

Pink

May

Root C GCH

subulata

The many varieties of this species are all easy plants but possibly too rampant for the small rock garden. They can be used as wall plants and kept in check by being cut hard back after flowering.

subulata atropurpurea

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Reddish-purple

June

GC

subulata alicas

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Pale mauve

June

GC

subulata Betty

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Pink

June

GC

subulata Eventide

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

White, flushed lilac

June

GC

subulata Fairy

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Lilac

June

GC

subulata Margery

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Pink

June

GC

subulata Model

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Lavender

June

GC

subulata Samson

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Rose

June

GC

subulata 'Temiskaming'

A

HE

B

Sun

......

June-July

GC

subulata Vivid

A

HE

4 x 18

A

Sun

Pink

June

GC

PHYLLODOCE

aleutica

C

SE

9 x 9

CN

S

Yellow

May

GCL

breweri

C

SE

9 x 9

CN

S

Reddish-blue

May

GCL

caerulea

C

SE

4 x 9

CN

S

Reddish-purple

May

GCL

empetriformis

C

SE

9 x 9

CN

S

Red-blue

May

GCL

glanduliflora

C

SE

6 x 9

CN

S

Yellow

May

GCL

glanduliflora x intermedia

C

SE

9 x 9

CN

S

Rose-pink

May

GCL

nipponica

C

SE

6 x 9

CN

S

White

May

GCL

tsugifolia

C

SE

12 x 6

CN

S

White, flushed pink

May

GCL

PHYTEUMA

comosum (Physoplexis comosa)

A

HP

3 x 6

AL

Sun

Lilac

June

S

comosum album

A

HP

3 x 6

AL

Sun

White

June

S

halleri

A

HP

6 x 6

AN

Sun

Dark violet

May

S

hedraianthifolium

A

HP

3 x 6

AN

Sun

Blue

June

S

hemisphaericum

A

HP

3 x 6

AN

Sun

Lilac-blue

June

S

humile

A

HP

3 x 6

AN

Sun

Blue

June

S

pauciflorum

A

HP

2 x 6

AN

Sun

Blue

June

S

sieberi

A

HP

6 x 6

AN

Sun

Deep blue

June

S

PIERIS

japonica Variegata

C

SE

18 x 12

C

PS

White

April

RC

PIMELEA

prostrata

A

SE

3 x 9

B

Sun

White
White

May
August

GC

coarctata

A

SE

3 x 9

B

Sun

White
White

May
August

GC

PLATYCODON

grandiflorum Apoyana

A

HP

9 x 6

B

Sun

Blue

August

S

POLYGALA

calcarea

B

HE

2 x 8

CL

PS

Blue

May

S

chamaebuxus

B

SE

4 x 9

CN

PS

White

May

GC

chamaebuxus purpurea

B

SE

6 x 9

CN

PS

Purplish-red and yellow

May

GC

paucifolia

B

SE

2 x 9

CN

PS

Bright carmine

June

S

vayredae

B

SE

2 x 9

CN

PS

Purple and yellow

May

GC

POLYGONUM

tenuicaule (Persicaria tenuicaulis)

B

HP

2 x 5

A

PS

White

April

D

POTENTILLA

alba

A

HP

3 x 9

AN

Sun

White

April

D

aurea

A

HP

3 x 6

AN

Sun

Yellow

May

S

curviseta

A

HE

2 x 3

AN

Sun

Golden-yellow

May

S

eriocarpa

A

E

1 x 8

A

Sun

Yellow

August

CS

fruticosa var. mandschurica

A

SD

6 x 9

NA

Sun

White

June

C

nevadensis

A

HE

4 x 9

AN

Sun

Yellow

June

GC

nitida

B

HE

2 x 6

AL

Sun

Rose

June

D

verna nana

B

HP

1 x 6

AN

Sun

Golden

April

D

PRIMULA

There are 2 main sections to this vast race of plants, European and Asiatic. The former are mostly sun lovers dwelling in open exposed rock faces while the latter are from moist, well-drained, high alpine meadows, and prefer shade in cultivation.

PRIMULA (European)

allionii

B

HE

2 x 4

A

Sun CP

Rose-red

April

GCS

allionii alba

B

HE

2 x 4

A

Sun CP

White

April

GC

allionii Ethel Barker

B

HE

2 x 4

A

Sun CP

Deep rose

April

GC

auricula ciliata

B

HE

6 x 4

A

Sun

Yellow

May

GC

x berninae

B

HE

3 x 4

A

Sun

Bluish-red

May

GC

x biflora

B

HE

1 x 3

A

Sun

Rosy-purple

May

GC

x bileckii

B

HE

1 x 3

A

Sun

Red

May

GC

carniolica

B

HE

6 x 4

A

PS

Rose

May

GCS

darialica

B

HE

3 x 4

A

Sun

Lavender

May

S

farinosa

B

HP

2 x 3

A

PS

Pink

May

S

x forsteri

B

HE

1 x 3

A

PS

Deep rose

May

GC

frondosa

B

HP

5 x 6

A

PS

Rose

May

SGC

glutinosa

B

HE

3 x 3

AN

PS

Purplish-blue

May

SGC

longiflora

B

HP

6 x 3

AN

Sun

Pink

May

S

marginata

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun C

Lavender-blue

May

C

marginata caerulea

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Deep lavender-blue

May

C

marginata grandiflora

B

HE

6 x 6

AL

Sun C

Lavender-blue

May

C

marginata Linda Pope

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

SunC

Clear lavender-blue

May

C

marginata Prichard's Variety

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun C

Lavender-blue

May

C

marginata rosea

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun C

Reddish-blue

May

C

Marven

B

HE

6 x 6

AL

Sun

Violet

May

C

minima

B

HE

2 x 4

AL

Sun

Rose

May

C

minima alba

B

HE

2 x 4

AL

Sun

White

May

C

x pubescens

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Crimson

May

GC

x pubescens alba

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

White

May

GC

x pubescens Faldonside

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Crimson

May

GC

x pubescens Ladybird

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Red

May

GC

x pubescens Mrs J.H. Wilson

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

PS

Deep lilac

May

GC

x pubescens Sulphur Gem

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Yellow

May

GC

x pubescens The General

B

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

Terra-cotta red

May

GC

x rheiniana

B

HE

3 x 4

AL

Sun

Rich lavender

May

GC

rubra

B

HE

3 x 4

AL

Sun C

Deep rose

May

GC

scotica

B

HP

2 x 2

AN

Sun

Purple

April

S

tyrolensis

B

HE

3 x 6

AL

Sun

Magenta

June

GC

PRIMULA (Asiatic)

Unfortunately, the majority of the Asiatic primulas suitable for cultivation in troughs and screes in the United Kingdom are not easy plants to grow and often require great skill. All require a cool, shady, north-facing position and are best planted where rain cannot lodge on the foliage, thus setting up crown rot. Use of rock and glass as methods of protection will assist materially in growing these very desirable plants!

bellidifolia

A

HP

5 x 5

B

SP

Purplish-blue

May

S

bhutanica

A

HP

1 x 5

B

SP

Blue

April

SD

bracteosa

A

HP

2 x 6

B

SP

Rose-pink

April

SD

clarkei

A

HP

2 x 4

B

SP

Deep pink

April

D

edgworthii

A

HP

3 x 5

B

SP

Pale mauve

March

DS

edgworthii alba

A

HP

3 x 5

B

SP

White

April

D

gracilipes

A

HP

1 x 5

B

SP

Mauve

April

D

modesta

A

HP

3 x 6

C

SP

Rose

April

S

x Pandora

A

HP

2 x 6

B

SP

Bright pink

March

D Leaf C

petiolaris

A

HP

3 x 6

C

SP

Rich pink

April

SD

reptans

A

HP

1 x 4

B

SP

Violet

April

D

rosea

B

HP

6 x 8

C

SP

Rose-pink

May

S

scapigera

A

HP

3 x 5

B

SP

Rose-pink

April

D

sessilis

A

HP

2 x 5

B

SP

Purplish-pink

April

D

tayloriana

A

HP

4 x 2

B

SP

Violet-pink

April

S

PTILOTRICHUM

spinosum

A

SE

5 x 8

A

Sun

White

June

SGC

spinosum roseum

A

SE

5 x 8

A

Sun

Light Pink

June

SGC

PULSATILLA

alpina sulphurea

A

HP

6 x 6

A

Sun

Yellow

May

S

halleri

A

HP

6 x 6

A

Sun

Purple

April

S

halleri slavica

A

HP

6 x 8

AL

Sun

Purple-rose

April

S

vernalis

A

HE

4 x 6

AL

Sun

White, with violet back

April

S

PUSCHKINIA

scilloides

A

B

4 x 3

A

Sun

Light blue

April

D

Some abbreviations have been used in compiling the above list of Rock Plants for small gardens in order to make it possible to provide all the required information at a glance in a condensed form.

Name

First is the name of the genus to which the plant belongs which is given in capitals. Under the generic name the names of the species and varieties are recorded.

Link to photos, cultivation details or mail-order business that sells it.

Suitability

Details of which container to grow the plant in:-

• A. The plant can be grown in sinks, trough, pans or scree beds
• B. The plant is best accommodated in a trough or sink.
• C. Suitable for peat beds and raised beds (suitable for alpine rhododendrons)

Type

Abbreviated to:-

• B for Bulb
• H for Herb - any non-woody plant that is not a tree or shrub
• HP for Herbaceous Perennial
• S for Shrub
• SS for Sub-shrub

followed by

• E for Evergreen
• D for Deciduous

Height and Spread

The approximate height is given first in inches, followed by the approximate spread, when mature. 1 inch (") = 25.4 millimetres (mm)

Soil

The figures A, B, C and D denote that the plant in question requires one of the following soil mixtures:-

• A. Equal parts of loam, leafmould and sand. This is a suitable mixture for plants which require a light, open, porous soil with good drainage. A good mixture for troughs in a sheltered position in part shade. All bulbs and conifers do well in this medium.
• B. Equal parts of loam, leafmould, peat and sand. This is more retentive of water but is well-drained and will grow all the plants in this Rock Plant List which are suitable for full sun, and it is ideal for woodland plants in part shade.
• C. Four parts leafmould and one part each of loam and sand. A soil for growing dwarf rhododendrons and other ericaceous plants in the raised bed type of trough and peat beds.
• D. Three parts Cornish silver sand and one part flaked leafmould. For all difficult and rare high alpines, including most of the cushion type. The trough containing this mixture is best situated in part shade.

which may be followed by

• N for when a neutral pH medium is required.
• L for when a limey pH medum is required.

Where no additional letter is given, the plant will thrive under either condition.

Position and Protection

The following terms and abbreviations used singly or in combination will minimize the risk of planting in an unsuitable spot:-

• C --- This means that the plant will do well planted on its side in a crevice built up on the rocks for preference.
• P --- This plant requires a pane of glass suspended over it in winter, generally from October to the end of March.
• PS -- A part-shady spot or facing west with protection from the south by a shadow cast by either a rock or shrub.
• SA -- Shady position either facing north or protected by a rock.
• Sun - This means that the plant will require a normal amount of direct sunlight.
• W --- The plant will do well planted in a vertical position in the side of a trough or scree frame.

Flower Colour, Nearest Colour Wheel - Flowers Colour and Months of Flowering

These 3 columns are self-explanatory;
for example, Orange June, means that

• the flowers are orange (if the plant has a Plant Description Page in this website then the link from here will be to that Plant Description Page otherwise to a Plant Description found on the Internet),
• orange3 in the Colour Wheel - Flowers is the nearest colour for the majority of the flower petal (either from a flower image in this website or an image found on the Internet), with link to the Colour Wheel - Flowers Colour and
• the flowering month is June with link to the flower photo on the Internet.

A double entry such as
Orange August
Red October
means that the plant has orange flowers in August and red fruits or berries in October.

Propagation

A general idea to the best method of increasing the stock:-

• C ---- Half-ripened wood at the end of July.
• D ----- Division.
• GC ---- Green Cuttings in late spring.
• L ------ Layering.
• Leaf C - The plant is best propagated by leaf cuttings.
• RC ----- Fully ripened wood at the end of September.
• Root C - The plant is best propagated by cutting the thick root thongs at the end of September.
• S ------- The best method is by seed.

may be followed by

• H - Where this letter is placed after any of the above abbreviations, it means that bottom heat is essential to obtain a fair percentage of strikes.
  The omission of this letter does not mean that bottom heat cannot be employed; in fact, its use will certainly save an appreciable amount of time taken to increase the stock.

A combination of the above will denote that the plant can be increased by all the methods which those abbreviated letters stand for.