30 Rock Garden Plants: Beautiful and Low-Maintenance Options for Your Yard

Written By Ash
Rock Garden PlantsPin

I recently discovered the joy of rock gardening, and I must say, it has quickly become one of my favorite hobbies.

Not only does it provide a beautiful and unique addition to my yard, but it also allows me to experiment with a variety of plants that thrive in rocky, well-drained soil.

In my search for the perfect rock garden plants, I have come across 30 that I believe are worth sharing.

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Rock gardens have been a popular landscaping option for centuries, and for good reason.

They offer a low-maintenance and visually appealing way to incorporate natural elements into your outdoor space.

But choosing the right plants for a rock garden can be a challenge.

The key is to find species that can withstand the harsh conditions of rocky soil, such as drought, intense sunlight, and poor nutrients.

After much research and trial and error, I have compiled a list of 30 rock garden plants that are sure to thrive in any rocky landscape.

01 of 33

Yellow Alyssum

Yellow alyssum plant with small yellow flower clusters surrounded by rocks and grassPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Yellow alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) is a low-growing, spreading plant that sprouts clusters of small yellow flowers in April and May.

It thrives in poor soil and is considered drought-tolerant.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Dry, average to sandy, well-draining

02 of 33

Ice Plant

Ice plant with purple reflective flowers surrounded by tall thin leaves and rocks in sunlightPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) is often used as a spreading ground cover, and it can flower all summer long.

The plant is tolerant of heat and drought, though it will die if it does not have good drainage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
  • Color Varieties: Red-purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average to poor, dry, well-draining

03 of 33

Angelina Stonecrop

Angelina stonecrop with small, star-shaped yellow blooms on born spiked stemsPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) is a spreading ground cover that grows quickly to form a mat that is only around 6 inches tall.

The more sun the plant gets, the more golden its foliage turns.

It produces small, star-shaped yellow blooms in early to mid-summer.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

04 of 33

Dragon’s Blood Stonecrop

Sedum spuriumPin  Nahhan / Getty Images 

Some small rock garden plants are creepers, including dragon’s blood stonecrop (Sedum spurium).

This plant can tolerate some drought, as well as shallow, rocky soil.

Butterflies tend to like its tiny pinkish-red flowers.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Pink
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

05 of 33

Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)

Hens and chicks succulents with rosette clusters surrounded by rocks in sunlightPin The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is a mat-forming succulent that produces rosette clusters.

The parent rosettes are called the “hens,” and the smaller offshoot rosettes are the “chicks.”

The plant grows well in rock gardens, as well as in stone walls or between garden stepping stones.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Red-purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

06 of 33

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme plant with small pink flowers and leaves closeupPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is aromatic like an edible herb, but it’s mainly grown as a ground cover or to fill in space between stepping stones.

The plant will cascade over rocks and low stone walls in a rock garden to soften the setting.

It readily grows in nutrient-poor soil as long as it has good drainage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Pink
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

07 of 33

Blue Fescue Grass

Blue fescue grass with blue-green leaf blades surrounded with brown leaves closeupPin The Spruce / K. Dave

Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is an ornamental grass grown for its blue-tinted foliage and yellowish-green flowers.

It produces its best foliage in full sun but can tolerate a little shade, too.

The plant grows to a height and spread of about a foot.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Light green to yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

08 of 33

Snow-in-Summer

Snow-in-summer plant with small white flowers on low-growing branches near rockPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) gets its name from its pristine white flowers that bloom in early summer and blanket the ground like a fresh snowfall.

The plant is low-growing and can thrive in poor rocky or sandy soil, though it must have good drainage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Color Varieties: White
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, dry, well-draining

09 of 33

Candytuft

Candytuft plant with small white flower blooms clustered together closeupPin The Spruce / Kara Riley

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens), with its showy flowers that bloom in mid-spring, is commonly used in rock gardens or as edging.

Although its petals form a pretty pattern, the flowers tend to have a rather unpleasant aroma.

Still, this plant is tolerant of drought and can even handle being grown in a little shade.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Color Varieties: White, pink
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-draining

10 of 33

Ajuga

Ajuga plant with small purple flower spikes closeupPin The Spruce / K. Dave

Ajuga (Ajuga reptans) is a rapidly spreading, mat-forming ground cover, and it can become invasive under optimal growing conditions.

On the plus side, it can fill in somewhat shady areas where other plants won’t grow.

Avoid planting ajuga next to lawns where it can spread. Instead, keep the plant contained in a rock garden or even a pot.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 10
  • Color Varieties: Blue, violet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

11 of 33

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox plant with small pink flowers on thin stems and branches on top of rock closeupPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a ground-hugging plant that’s frequently seen in rock gardens or filling in crevices in stone walls, or cascading down slopes.

It grows well in sandy or gravelly soil and can tolerate heat and drought better than some of the other phlox species.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Red, purple, pink, blue, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Humusy, medium moisture, well-draining

12 of 33

Pasque Flower

Pasque flowers with small purple petals grown in clumps near moss-covered rockPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) is a low-growing, clump-forming plant.

It is an early bloomer in the spring, bringing color to the landscape.

It prefers a well-draining sandy or humus soil and can handle light shade.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Purple, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Humus, gritty, medium moisture, well-draining

13 of 33

Reticulated Iris

Reticulated iris bulb plants with deep blue, yellow and white flowers near rocksPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The reticulated iris (Iris reticulata) is another early bloomer in the spring.

As it’s a small flower, growing only about 6 inches tall, it’s best planted in masses to maximize visual impact.

Moreover, it’s important that the bulbs rest in fairly dry soil during their summer dormancy, making the plant ideal for a well-draining rock garden.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

14 of 33

Wood Spurge

Wood spurge plant with small green blooms on purple-tinged foliage closeup Pin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

With its purple-tinged foliage, wood spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides) can make a colorful impact in a rock garden.

The plant is tolerant of poor soil but needs good drainage.

It can handle some shade, especially in the afternoon, but too much shade can cause the plant to lose its shape.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

15 of 33

Moonbeam Coreopsis

coreopsis flowersPin The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Moonbeam coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’) is a perennial flower from the aster family.

It thrives in poor sandy or rocky soil and can tolerate some drought, heat, and humidity.

It’s popular as a border planting, but its growing requirements also make it a prime candidate for a rock garden.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

16 of 33

Lavender

Lavender with small purple flower blooms on edge of stems closeupPin The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

With its aromatic foliage and pretty blooms, lavender (Lavandula spp.) is popular and versatile in the garden.

Use the plant in a rock garden, herb garden, or even as edging or a low hedge.

It prefers light, somewhat infertile soil with good drainage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, alkaline, well-draining

17 of 33

Yarrow

Yarrow plant with small pink flattened flower clusters above feathery foliage closeupPin The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

A flowering perennial, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is popular as an edging plant or in a rock garden.

It grows well in average garden soil but can tolerate poor soil and drought.

The plant can be an aggressive spreader, so it’s best in a contained area.

A taller plant in the garden, it works well against structures such as fencing or planted in the rear of the garden bed.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: White, yellow, pink, red
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Lean, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

18 of 33

Autumn Joy Sedum

Autumn joy stonecrop plant with light pink flattened flower clusters on tall stemsPin The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Autumn joy (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’) will tolerate loamy, well-draining soil, but it thrives in soil that’s sandy or gravelly.

The plant doesn’t need much water and has excellent drought tolerance.

It grows to about 2 feet tall and produces tiny flowers that go from pinkish to reddish in the fall.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Pink, red, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

19 of 33

Spiked Speedwell

Spiked speedwell plant with purple-blue flower spikes surrounded by tall grassesPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata ‘Royal Candles’) is a compact perennial flower that’s good for rock gardens, foundation plantings, flower beds, borders, and more.

The plant grows best with regular moisture and good drainage. But it does not like soggy soil.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Blue-purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

20 of 33

Columbine

Columbine flower with red and yellow jasper cap-like petals on thin stem closeupPin The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Columbine (Aquilegia spp.) is a perennial wildflower with many cultivars. Its flowers, which attract hummingbirds, are a fascinating shape said to resemble a jester’s cap.

Once established, columbine is drought-tolerant, making it a suitable rock garden plant.

Columbines spread easily from seed so cutting and removing the seed heads following bloom will keep this plant in place in the garden.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, white, blue, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

21 of 33

Coneflower

Coneflower plant with pink daisy-like flowers with orange cone-shaped centers closeupPin The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

The coneflower (Echinacea spp.) is a daisy-like perennial that is hardy and long-blooming.

It’s adaptable to many growing conditions, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils. The plant is drought-tolerant, though it prefers some moisture in the soil.

Many cultivars are available on the market today in a wide variety of bloom colors.

Growing up to 3′ high, this taller plant also works well as background for smaller, low growing plants in the rock garden.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, red, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

22 of 33

Purple Fountain Grass

Purple fountain grass with arcing, slender, burgundy-colored leaves with tan fuzzy seed plumesPin The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) is an ornamental grass that is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones.

It grows best in full sun but can tolerate a little shade.

Gardeners use purple fountain grass both as a standalone specimen plant, as well as in groupings for greater impact.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 10
  • Color Varieties: Purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

23 of 33

Blue Rug Juniper

Blue rug juniper plant with flat blue-green foliage above rockPin The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’) is a ground-hugging needled evergreen known for its green to blue-green foliage.

It thrives on sunny slopes and prefers fast drainage.

The plant can tolerate a variety of soil types and growing conditions but thrives in soil that’s sandy and on the drier side.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Nonflowering
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

24 of 33

Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisy flower with white daisy-like petals with yellow pollen centers closeupPin The Spruce / Autumn Wood

The Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) is a low-maintenance perennial flower.

It blooms for most of the summer, adding appeal to borders, gardens, and containers.

The plant tolerates a little shade in hot conditions, but wet soil can kill it.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
  • Color Varieties: White and yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

25 of 33

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed susan plant with yellow daisy-like flowers on stems with bright green leaves near tree basePin The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a daisy-like perennial flower.

It grows best in moist, organically rich soil but tolerates most conditions as long as it has good drainage.

Because it blooms in its first season when planted from seed, the plant is often grown as an annual outside of its hardiness zones.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Yellow, yellow-orange
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

26 of 33

Perennial Salvia

Perennial salvia plant with small purple flower blooms on spikes Pin The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

Most varieties of perennial salvia (Salvia spp.) prefer a sunny spot with good drainage.

They can tolerate many soil types, including the conditions of a rock garden.

As a bonus, salvia’s colorful flowers tend to attract many pollinators.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10 (depends on variety)
  • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, green, blue, yellow, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

27 of 33

Six Hills Giant Catmint

Six hills giant catmint with small purple and pink flowers on spikesPin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Six hills giant (Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’) is a perfect rock garden plant, as it craves well-draining soil and tolerates dry areas.

It grows to about 3 feet tall with a spread of roughly 4 feet.

But the plant doesn’t care for high heat and humidity, so it might need some afternoon shade in warmer climates.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

28 of 33

Russian Sage

Russian sage plant with thin wispy branches with small purple bloomsPin   The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) has a delicate appearance, but, at around 3 to 5 feet, it offers some height for the back of a border or the center of an island garden.

The plant has excellent drought tolerance, and it flowers best in full sun.

As a member of the mint family, Russian sage spreads by runners. Pull up suckers early in the spring from areas where you don’t want it.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

29 of 33

Mugo Pine

Mugo pine shrub with small needle-like leaves clustered together in sunlight closeup Pin The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Mugo pine (Pinus mugo) is a spreading evergreen shrub that grows to around 15 to 20 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide.

It likes well-draining, sandy soil, and it can even somewhat tolerate clay.

A young plant needs regular watering, but once mature it is moderately drought-tolerant.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Nonflowering
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, medium moisture, well-draining

30 of 33

Rockspray Cotoneaster

Rockspray cotoneaster plant with small red berries on branches with waxy green leavesPin The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a flowering deciduous shrub with reddish leaves and bright red berries.

It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate poor soil conditions. Once established, it even can handle some drought.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Pink
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-draining

31 of 33

Lamb’s Ear

Lamb's ear plant with thick, silvery-green and fuzzy leaves surrounded by mulch closeupPin The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is an herbaceous perennial grown for the texture of its leaves, which are thick, fuzzy, and velvety like the ear of a lamb.

The plant is often used as a flower border. Plus, its tolerance for drought and poor soil makes it a good rock garden plant.

The spiky blooms attract pollinators.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
  • Color Varieties: Pink-purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

32 of 33

Maiden Grass

Maiden grass plant with tan clump-forming leaf blades closeupPin The Spruce / K. Dave

Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’) is a perennial ornamental grass with good drought tolerance.

The clump-forming grass can reach around 4 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, providing height and texture to a garden.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
  • Color Varieties: Copper to silver
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

33 of 33

Rugosa Rose

Rugosa rose shrub with large pink rose with ruffled petals on edge of branchPin The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) is a sprawling, thorny, flowering shrub. It prefers loamy soil but can adapt to clay, sandy, or gravelly varieties.

Good air circulation and avoiding wet soil are key for the plant to remain healthy. Heavy annual pruning is needed to keep this shrub in a pleasing shape.

Blooming throughout the warm weather months, Rugosa roses are highly fragrant with the scent of old-world roses.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
  • Color Varieties: Pink, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, slightly acidic, well-draining

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