Spring Rock Garden

A Bugleweed (Ajuga repens) (5)
Zones 3-9. Perennial. Low-growing ground cover, spikes of blue flowers
in spring, foliage may be green, purple, or variegated. 6" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Rock Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides)
Zones 4-8. Perennial. Pink flowers in late spring. 3" tall, 18" wide

B Rockcress (Arabis ‘Snowcap’) (3)
Zones 5-8. Perennial. Pure white flowers in early spring. 6"-8" tall.
A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Zones 5-9. Perennial. White flowers in spring. Up to 12" tall.

C Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) (5)
Zones 3-9. Perennial. Clumps of grass-like foliage with pom-pom flowers
(red, white, or pink) in late spring/early summer. 8" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Ornamental Onion (Allium senescens var. glaucum)
Zones 5-9. Perennial. Pink globes over clumps of foliage, late summer
blooms. 6" tall.

D Silvermound (Artemesia schmidtiana) (5)
Zones 5-8. Perennial. Ferny, silver foliage. 12" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Lambs’ Ear (Stachys byzantina)
Zones 4-8. Perennial. Soft woolly gray foliage, blue flower spikes. 18" tall.

E Basket of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis ‘Gold Dust’) (4)
Zones 4-8. Perennial. Bright yellow flowers in early spring, silver-gray
foliage. 8" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia polychroma)
Zones 4-9. Perennial. Bright yellow bracts, red fall foliage. 16" tall.

F Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)
Zones 3-8. Perennial. Bold rounded leaves, pink or white flowers in
spring. 24" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
Zones 1-5. Perennial. Spring blooms are pink, seed heads are silver,
feathery wisps. 16" tall.

G Bearded Iris (Iris) (5)
Zones 3-9. Perennial. Favorite old-time blooms, often sold as Iris
germanica, purple, pink, white or blue spring flowers. 28"-36" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Peony (Paeonia)
Zones 3-8. Perennial. Large red, pink or white blooms depending on
variety. 2’-3’ tall.

H Iceland Poppy (Papaver croceum) (4)
Zones 2-8. Perennial. Often sold as Papaver budicale. Bright yellow,
orange, pink, or red fragrant flowers in spring. 12" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)
Zones 4-9. Perennial. Various pink, white, to red blooms. 18"-36" tall.

I Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) (6)
Zones 3-8. Perennial. Matlike foliage, very early spring blooms in pink,
blue, lavender, or white. 2"-6" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana ‘Nana’)
Zones 5-8. Perennial. Yellow flowers in spring, matlike foliage. 4" tall.

J Primrose (Primula auricula) (5)
Zones 3-8. Perennial. Spring blooms in yellow, pink, red, or purple. 8"
tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Meadow Sage (Salvia x superba ‘Blue Hill’)
Zones 5-9. Perennial. Sky-blue flowers, spikes in early summer. 18" tall.

K Grape Hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) (25)
Zones 3-8. Bulb. Blue spikes in early spring.6"-8" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Crocus (Crocus Spp.)
Zones 3-8. Bulb. Purple, white or yellow cup-shaped flowers in very
early spring. 1"-4" tall.

L Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana ‘Crown Azure’) (24)
Annual Blue, flat-faced flowers, keep deadheaded for more blooms. 6"-
8" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Annual. White, purple or rose flowers, fragrant. 2"-12" tall.

M Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana ‘Delta’) (24)
Annual. Flat-faced flowers, heat-tolerant variety. 6" tall.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Dwarf Iris (Iris Spp.)
Zones 4-8. Annual. Yellow, blue or purple blooms in spring. Choose
dwarf types. 4"-10" tall.

N Savin Juniper (Juniperus sabina ‘Broadmoor’)
Zones 3-8. Shrub. Low-growing evergreen, bright green in summer to
golden in winter. 2’-3’ tall, up to 10 feet wide.

A L T E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei ‘Silver Queen’)
Zones 5-9. Shrub. Broadleaved evergreen, green and white foliage.
8’ tall.

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