Ground cover for the rock garden

Alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

Next to the gentian is this Edelweiss the typical mountain plant and should not be missing in any classic rock garden. Gentians are particularly suitable as plant neighbors, Saxifrage, Houseleek, Bluebells and Primroses.

Stone herb (Alyssum)

That Stone herb is a well-known spring bloomer and forms dense cushions on the ground. The yellow florets are in dense umbels and should be cut back after flowering. A tried and tested variety is, for example, Alyssum montanum 'Berggold', which can grow to a height of 15 centimeters and form a dense carpet of light yellow flowers.

Man's shield (Androsace)

The white blooming Androsace carnea or the lilac pink blooming Androsace lanuginosa are particularly easy to keep. This cushion plant remains very low and rather forms loose-grass cushions, but is quite vigorous. The species Androsace helvetica and Androsace alpina, native to Switzerland, are somewhat difficult to care for and therefore not recommended for beginners.

Cat's paw (Antennaria)

Cat paws form dense, silver-gray carpets that are decorated with delicate, everlasting umbels between May and June. They are particularly suitable for overgrowing flower bulbs.

Rock cress (Arabis)

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

Carnations form dense, grass-like cushions, over which the white or pink flowers stand in the flowering period between May and July.

Blue pillow (Aubrieta)

This ground cover forms an abundant flow of flowers in blue, pink or red. Flowering time is between April and May.

Hornwort (Cerastium)

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

Gentian

Some gentian species form flat, either loose or dense cushions with shoots resting 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 stemless gentian, for example the varieties 'Coelestina', 'Frei', 'Alba' or 'JP Dark Blue', is particularly recommended as a ground cover.

That Upholstery phlox with its needle-like, closely spaced leaflets forms dense, flat cushions. The pretty flowers show up between May and June. phlox belongs to the typical rock garden plants, although some dwarf species can also be cultivated very well in pots.