Rock Gardens
Rock-filled flower beds have grown popular for good reason: they're a striking decorative feature, and most of the plants that thrive in them need very little upkeep.
Why Rocks Work
Plants suited to a rock garden tolerate the reflected heat that stone gives off, and generally need excellent drainage — herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender do particularly well here and will wilt if the soil stays too wet. Alpine columbine, with violet and white blooms, is a favorite for attracting hummingbirds and blooms from early May into June across a wide range of climates.
A Few Reliable Choices
The rock rose, a small shrub with saucer-shaped deep red flowers, blooms in late spring and summer. Alpine asters bring clusters of pink, red, white, lavender, and purple blooms in late summer and fall, though they need room to spread as bushy clumps. Japanese barberry offers spring blooms and fall foliage color but struggles in truly cold climates, while carpet bugle works well as low, erosion-controlling ground cover that tolerates drought and blooms from early spring into mid-July.
Primrose prefers cooler temperatures and shouldn't sit in direct summer sun for long stretches — tuck it where taller rocks or plants offer a bit of afternoon shade.
