33 Plants For Rock Gardens and Xeriscapes

A surprising diversity of beautiful xeriscape plants can thrive with little to no water. From drought-tolerant shrubs to native wildflowers to eye-catching succulents, many species are adapted to dry climates.

When choosing xeriscape plants for your low-water landscape, consider their sun exposure and soil type. If your rock garden is in a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil, you will have many spectacular plants to choose from! If your rock garden is partially shaded with medium-moisture soil, focus on plants performing best in these conditions.

Let’s examine 33 fantastic xeriscape plants that will thrive in dry conditions and look stunning in your landscape.

Rock Garden vs. Xeriscape Plants

Whether you live in a dry climate or you don’t have access to irrigation, you probably want to build a landscape that stays beautiful when water is scarce. Rock gardens and xeriscape yards can be just as aesthetic as irrigated ones. While these forms of landscaping are similar, there are a few nuances.

About Rock Gardens

Rock gardens combine plants and rocks. They are typically associated with sunny and dry locations, but a rock garden is not limited by sunlight, temperature, or moisture. You can create a rock garden just about anywhere. 

One of the unique aspects of designing a rock garden is that you can be very creative with the types of rocks. You can use…

• Pebbles, gravels, and flagstones purchased from landscape supply companies
• Rocks that are naturally available in your yard
• Rocks you’ve (legally) collected from your outdoor travel adventures

Then, get creative with an interesting mineral-based layout to accompany your plants. 

About Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping refers to creating a landscape that thrives without needing supplemental water. Xeriscape landscapes can also be described as waterwise of water-conservation gardens. In the U.S., 60-90% of household water is used for landscaping. Research shows that a xeric landscape can save over 30% (96,000 gallons) of residential water annually compared to turfgrass.

Many ideal xeriscape plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in low-moisture, well-drained soil conditions. Once established, xeriscape gardens are low-maintenance, but you will still need to pay attention to routine garden tasks such as weeding, pruning, and thinning. 

You can easily combine xeriscaping and rock gardening for an epic dry landscape. Regardless of your garden design, these 33 xeriscape plants are built to thrive in dry conditions.

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’

	botanical name Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 6 to 9

Artemisia, commonly called wormwood, is a genus consisting of many interesting cultivars and varieties. ‘Powis Castle’ has finely cut, almost fern-like, foliage that is a beautiful silvery-green color. These plants are grown primarily for their interesting foliage. Their flowers are small and yellow, blooming in mid to late summer. 

‘Powis Castle’ grows best with full sun and dry to medium-moisture well-drained soil. Plants grow into loose mounds with fragrant leaves, making them resistant to deer and rabbits. The leaves remain evergreen in mild winter climates. This plant would be an excellent addition to a sunny rock garden. Once established, it is tolerant of drought and dry soil conditions.

Basket of Gold

	botanical name Aurinia saxatilis
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 7

Basket of gold is a bright and cheerful spring-blooming perennial. It performs best in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. The soil should be sandy or gritty and very well-drained. It does best in cooler climates but can still be grown as an annual during the cooler months of more southern states. 

The basket of gold plant makes a stunning appearance in full bloom. In a rock garden, plant it along a border or arrange it to cascade over the edge of a rock wall. The leaves are attractive, silvery-green, and complement other nearby foliage. In hot climates, the leaves may brown and die back after flowering. Prune plants regularly to maintain a bushy appearance.

Blazing Star

	botanical name Liatris spp.
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1.5 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Several species of blazing star will perform in a rock garden or xeriscape garden. The dwarf blazing star, Liatris cylindracea, is best suited to cooler climates, and the rough blazing star, Liatris aspera, performs well in warmer regions. These are excellent plants for naturalized prairie gardens, cottage gardens, and southern pollinator gardens. 

Blazing star grows stiff upright stems lined with thin leaves. In mid to late summer, these plants bloom and become pollinator magnets, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

The flowers are pinkish-purple and very showy, with a roughly feathery look. As they fade, the flowers give way to long-standing seedheads, which attract seed-eating birds. Blazing star plants are drought-tolerant and easily grown from seed.

Blue Fescue

	botanical name Festuca glauca
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.75 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Blue fescue is an ornamental grass that performs well in rock gardens and xeriscapes. It thrives in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. The soil must be very well-drained, as plants tend to rot in heavy, moist soil. Plants can be grown from seed, but because there are many hybrids of this plant, the resulting seeds may not be true to the parent plant.

Blue fescue is an attractive clump forming grass. It stays in nice, neat clusters and does not spread aggressively.

The blue-green foliage is colorful and makes a good accent plant, complimenting nearby flowers very well. The foliage may decline in harsh winters, but these plants remain evergreen in mild winters, adding wonderful winter interest to the landscape.

Candytuft

	botanical name Iberis sempervirens
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Candytuft is an attractive spring-blooming perennial native to southern Europe. At peak bloom, rounded clusters of tiny white blossoms cover the tops of these plants, attracting early-season butterflies and pollinators. After flowering, you can enjoy the clumps of foliage that stay green throughout the growing season. 

Candytuft does best in full sun. Plant it in a location with low to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Once established, candytuft is tolerant of dry soil and occasional drought. It would look very nice as a low-growing plant in a rock garden or xeriscape garden and also looks beautiful along borders and walkways. Candytuft can even be grown as part of a container garden. 

Catmint

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2 to 2.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Catmint is easy to grow and has minty-fragrant leaves, making it resistant to browning deer and rabbits. The long-blooming flowers attract plenty of pollinators. The blossoms are pale purple, growing in loose spikes. Leaves are fuzzy and pale green. They grow prolifically, making an effective ground cover. 

This herb thrives in full sun and loose, well-drained soil. It would do well in a larger naturalized area where it can spread, as mints often grow very vigorously. Catmint plants will spread by self-seeding and by rhizomes. Unwanted spread can be controlled by regular pruning and division. You can also grow catmint in a container to help contain growth.

There are several cultivars of catmint. ‘Walker’s Low’ is a beautiful plant that would be an excellent choice for rock gardens and xeriscapes.

Chinese Sedum

	botanical name Sedum tetractinum ‘Coral Reef’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 foot
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

Chinese sedum makes an excellent ground cover. The dense carpet of vegetation will slowly fill in, expanding to cover smaller areas. Grow it in a rock garden, xeriscape, or along any well-drained garden edge. Chinese sedum thrives in full sun and is not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Chinese sedum is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant. It can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings, and sprawling stems will readily root if they tough bare soil.

The succulent leaves are bright green, tinged around the edges with shades of pink. In mid to late summer, clusters of pale pink flowers bloom for a beautiful showy display.

Columbine

	botanical name Aquilegia spp.
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

There are some very colorful cultivars of columbine. Each variety has slightly different environmental preferences, but all columbine flowers are extremely showy and will attract hummingbirds.

• Aquilegia canadensis is native to eastern North America and produces showy red and yellow flowers.
• Aquilegia chrysantha is native to western North America and produces stunning yellow flowers.
• Aquilegia vulgaris is native to Europe and produces purple and blue flowers.

Columbines perform best in a location with partial sun. They also like dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Once established, columbines tend to be quite drought tolerant. The plants will re-seed themselves and naturalize in ideal conditions. In sunny, dry locations, foliage may dry and fade after flowering. If grown too closely together in humid environments with poor air circulation, columbine is susceptible to powdery mildew.

Cotoneaster

	botanical name Cotoneaster hessi
	plant type Deciduous shrub
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 7

Cotoneaster is a small shrub that is at home in a xeriscape landscape. This low-maintenance plant is relatively compact but will sprawl and stay low to the ground, draping itself over nearby rocks and smaller vegetation. It grows best in cooler climates with full sun and dry to medium-moisture well-drained soil. Deer and rabbits won’t bother this plant.

Cotoneaster develops dense woody stems lined with very small dark green leaves. The leaves turn bright red in the fall, adding nice color to the garden.

Tiny pinkish flowers bloom in mid-spring, followed by showy dark red fruits. These little fruits last through much of the winter and attract foraging birds.

Cranesbill Geranium

	botanical name Geranium sanguineum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 0.75 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Cranesbill geranium, also known as bloody cranesbill or hardy geranium, is a beautiful perennial native to Europe. This plant does well in full sun or partial shade.

It performs best in rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Plants can be grown from seed or by divisions of larger clumps. In ideal conditions, plants will naturalize and spread by self-seeding. These plants are not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Cranesbill geranium blooms primarily in late spring but may produce occasional flowers throughout the summer. The flowers are varying shades of pink and very showy. Its leaves are deeply cut and attractive throughout the growing season. In the fall, the leaves turn from deep green to brilliant shades of red for a final burst of garden color before winter.

Creeping Phlox

	botanical name Phlox subdulata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Creeping phlox, also known as moss phlox, is a worthy plant for any rock garden. Once established, it is tolerant of occasional drought. This plant makes an excellent ground cover in any well-drained sunny area. They spread by creeping stems that readily root wherever they touch bare soil.

Creeping phlox develops a carpet of tiny green, roughly moss-like leaves. In the spring, the flowers bloom with color variations, including white, pink, and purple.

As a landscaping plant, grow creeping phlox along borders and edges, near walkways, or in odd-shaped areas between rocks. In a short time, you will have a carpet of greenery with an annual profusion of colorful blooms!

Creeping Thyme

	botanical name Thymus serpyllum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Creeping thyme, also called mother of thyme, is a beautiful low-growing plant native to northern Europe. Use creeping thyme as a ground cover for your rock garden or xeriscape garden.

It’s also a welcome addition to attract butterflies and fill in along edges and borders. The fragrant leaves make it resistant to browsing deer. Highly showy clusters of bright pink flowers bloom in mid-summer and attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

Creeping thyme grows best in a location with full sun. Its soil should be average-quality, dry to medium-moisture, and well-drained. Wet and poorly-drained soil will likely lead to root rot. These plants can be grown from seed but are probably best grown by divisions and stem cuttings since many cultivars may not grow true from seed. There are many showy varieties with varying flower colors. 

Creeping Speedwell

	botanical name Veronica repens
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 foot
	hardiness zones 6 to 9

Creeping speedwell is a good ground cover for mild to warm climates. This low-growing plant grows best in full sun with dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. These plants will spread by creeping along the ground and are not bothered by deer or rabbits. 

Use creeping speedwell as a ground-hugging green mat in rock gardens, walkways, or border areas. The sprawling bright green leafy stems are good for filling odd spaces. Its leaves may develop red-tinged edges in the spring and fall, making this plant surprisingly colorful. Speedwell blooms in the spring with tiny purple flowers.

Cushion Spurge

	botanical name Euphorbia epithymoides
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 1.5 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Cushion spurge grows into dense bunches of vegetation. In the spring, it erupts with rounded clusters of showy yellow flowering bracts. The leaves are simple, oblong, and slightly fuzzy, giving the foliage a soft, silvery sheen. In the autumn, the leaves turn reddish, prolonging the showy season for this plant.

Cushion spurge can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Be careful when handling the plant, however, as it contains a white milky sap that some people find irritating to the skin. These plants grow best in full sun with dry, well-drained soil. Cushion spurge would be at home in a rock garden or xeriscape environment with space to sprawl.

Fameflower

	botanical name Phemeranthus calycinus
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 0.75 foot
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Fameflower is a low-growing perennial wildflower native to the south-central United States. This interesting plant is easy to grow and low maintenance.

It would be an excellent addition to a rock garden, xeriscape, or any dry garden edge. Fameflower is a tough little plant that grows naturally along limestone ridges, cracks, and crevices. It does best in full sun with very well-drained soil. 

Fameflower blooms in early-to-mid-summer, and its flowers open for just a few hours each day. The flowers are small but showy. They are bright pink with 5 petals surrounding prominent yellow stamens. At a glance, the leaves are somewhat grasslike. Upon closer inspection, you will note that the leaves are thickened and succulent, growing in small clumps.

Fernleaf Yarrow

	botanical name Achillea filipendulina
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Fernleaf yarrow is an attractive yarrow variety native to the Middle East and Central Asia. It has showy fern-like foliage that can be appreciated for its unique texture throughout the growing season.

Golden yellow flowers bloom during the summer months, attracting butterflies and bees. The leaves have a distinctive fragrance and are not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Grow fernleaf yarrow in full sun with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This plant is easily grown from seed, cuttings, or division of dense clusters. Yarrows will spread in ideal conditions, making beautiful mass plantings. If colonies become too dense, they can be easily divided and thinned. 

Gopher Spurge 

	botanical name Euphorbia rigida
	plant type Broadleaf evergreen
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Also called rigid spurge, this evergreen perennial is native to southern Europe. This plant grows best in warmer climates in full sun. Give it a location with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It is easily grown from seed and will freely self-seed in the garden.

Gopher spurge develops thickened stems densely lined with leaves. The leaves are simple, tapering to a sharp point.

They are a blue-green color and, in bright sunlight, develop reddish-pink edges. The flowers are unusually shaped, blooming in late spring or early summer. They form loose clusters at the ends of mature stems, starting out greenish-yellow and changing to yellow-orange before developing ornamental seed pods.

Hens and Chicks

	botanical name Sempervivum tectorum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Hens and chicks, or common houseleek, are fun plants to add to a rock garden or xeriscape. The species is native to southern Europe and grows in mountainous regions.

Hens and chicks thrive in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. The soil must be well-drained so plants do not develop root rot. Once established, hens and chicks tolerate periodic drought and poor soil quality. 

Hens and chicks makes a fascinating ground cover for small areas. Dense evergreen rosettes cover the ground, spreading outwards by creating multiple offsets. A mature plant will bloom in mid-summer and then dies back after flowering. Individual dead rosettes should be removed from the garden. These hardy little succulents are not bothered by deer or rabbits.

Irish Moss

	botanical name Sagina subulata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 0.25 to 0.5 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Irish moss is native to Western Europe and makes a great choice for a low-growing ground cover. Despite its name, Irish moss is not a true moss but a perennial flowering plant. It is a ground-hugging plant that forms a dense mat of greenery. It can be grown between stepping stones and along edges.

Irish moss likes uniformly moist soil, and while it looks wonderful in a rock garden, it would not be suitable for an arid climate with prolonged dry soil conditions. Plants will grow from seed or by division of clusters. Tiny white flowers bloom in the springtime and add interest to the otherwise mossy-green carpet.

Lanceleaf Coreopsis

	botanical name Coreopsis lanceolata
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

There are many varieties of coreopsis, many of which are ideal for rock gardens and xeriscapes. The lanceleaf coreopsis is a showy plant that performs well in direct sun, with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil.

Once established, coreopsis is resistant to drought and poor soil conditions. These plants are easy to grow from seed and will self-seed in ideal conditions. Lanceleaf coreopsis is resistant to browsing deer and rabbits. 

Lanceleaf coreopsis has thin, feathery-looking leaves, making it a very attractive foliage plant. The bright yellow flowers bloom from late spring until mid-summer. Its flowers attract butterflies and bees, making this plant worthy of any pollinator-friendly garden. If plants sprawl and look messy by late summer, they can be pruned back to a desired form. 

Parry’s Agave

	botanical name Agave parryi
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 7 to 10

Parry’s agave is one of the more cold-hardy varieties of agave available for gardeners. It typically survives winter to zone 7 and stays evergreen throughout the year. Parry’s agave needs full sun to grow well. Its soil should be sandy or gritty, with dry to medium moisture. Poorly drained soils will cause this plant to develop root rot. Agave is not bothered by deer or rabbits. 

Parry’s agave stays reasonably compact. The plants may reach 2 feet tall but rarely flower. If the plant does flower, it sends up a very tall flower stalk and will die soon afterward. Tight basal rosettes feature thick succulent leaves lined with sharp teeth.

The leaf color is pale silvery-green. These plants develop suckers at the base, giving rise to a slow-growing colony of agave plants. If you have a larger space for succulents in a warm, dry setting, this is one of the best xeriscape plants to include in your collection, giving your garden a little taste of a desert landscape.

Pasque Flower

	botanical name Pulsatilla vulgaris
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 0.75 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Pasque flower blooms in the springtime and is a noteworthy addition to a rock garden. This plant looks fabulous when nestled between some rocks in well-drained gritty soil. Pasque flower is unsuitable for hot, dry climates but does very well in cooler locations with medium moisture soil. It prefers a location with full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Deer will eat this plant.

Pasque flower is a low-maintenance plant native to Europe and southwestern Asia. It can be grown from seed or division of larger clusters. Its leaves are deeply cut and ornamental throughout the growing season.

The flowers bloom in the springtime and are very showy. Those flowers are typically deep purple with prominent yellow centers. After flowering, beautiful fluffy, feathery-white seedheads develop, extending their ornamental value into summer.

Pink Muhly Grass 

	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris
	plant type Ornamental grass
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Pink muhly grass produces stunning fall color and is a worthy addition to a sunny landscape. It is native to the western and central United States, growing in open grasslands. This plant is low maintenance and thrives in full sun but will tolerate some dappled shade. Grow it in a location with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. 

Pink muhly grass is easy to grow for beginners. It can be grown from seed or divided into larger clusters. This clump-forming grass develops fairly large individual clumps and will self-seed in optimal conditions, creating dense colonies over time. In early to mid-fall, taller pink flowers cover the mounds with a haze of pink, which is very showy and attractive in the home landscape.

Pink Skullcap

	botanical name Scutellaria suffrutescens
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 0.5 to 0.75 foot
	hardiness zones 7 to 9

Pink skullcap is a perennial in warmer climates but can be grown as an annual in zones 6 and cooler. This low-growing plant is native to Mexico and would be a very showy addition to a rock garden or dry border. It is well adapted to full sun but will tolerate light shade.

Give it a location with dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Pink skullcap is not bothered by browsing deer or rabbits.

Pink skullcap, or Mexican skullcap, stays quite small but spreads readily by seed, eventually creating a dense mat of low-growing vegetation. It blooms anytime from early summer through mid-fall. The showy flowers are small, bright pinkish-red, and tubular. The flowers also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. 

Rattlesnake Master

	botanical name Eryngium yuccifolium
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Rattlesnake master is a fabulous plant for rock gardens and xeriscapes. It has yucca-like, spiny-edged leaves that grow in a broad basal rosette. These plants develop a tall flowering stalk from late spring into early summer.

Several prominent globe-like flowers form on each stalk. The flowers look more like spiky greenish-white orbs than a more conventional flower shape. Despite their unusual appearance, the flowers attract numerous pollinators.

Rattlesnake master is native to open grasslands of the eastern and central United States. It thrives in full sun and will grow weakly in shade. Give it a location with average-quality, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.

Rattlesnake master develops a deep taproot making it quite resistant to drought and an excellent choice for xeriscapes. It is difficult to transplant once established but grows readily from seed.

Rockcress

	botanical name Arabis caucasica
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot

Rockcress is an attractive mounding ground cover native to Europe and northern North America. It thrives with full sun and dry to medium-moisture soil. Good soil drainage is necessary, and once established, rockcress is tolerant of dry soil conditions and drought. This plant is easy to grow and not bothered by browsing deer.

Rockcress is an attractive low-growing plant with silvery-green leaves. The foliage will decline in hot, dry summers and is best suited to cooler climates. Its flowers bloom in the spring, covering the plants with white, snowball-like clusters. The flowers are very showy and attract pollinators. Grow rockcress alongside other low-growing flowering plants in your rock garden for a beautiful effect.

Russian Sage

	botanical name Salvia yangii
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3 to 5 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 9

Russian sage is a low-maintenance herb that grows well in dry conditions. Give this plant a location with full sun to perform its best. It thrives in average-quality, dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Russian sage is tolerant of drought and not bothered by browsing deer or rabbits.

Russian sage blooms from mid-summer until mid-fall, attracting plenty of pollinators. The flowers are tiny and pale purple, growing along tall, many-branched flowering stalks. Its leaves are fragrant and silvery green with finely cut edges. The overall appearance of this plant is quite striking. Plants that become too large and sprawling can be pruned back to a more desirable size and shape.

Sea Pink

	botanical name Armeria maritima
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

Sea pink, also called sea thrift, is a beautiful flowering perennial native to Europe and the Pacific coast of North America. It grows well in cooler climates in direct sun. These plants need very well-drained soil and prefer poor-quality, gritty soils. They grow along cliffs, rocky habitats, and dry seaside grasslands in their natural habitat.

Sea pink resembles an onion or chives plant but is unrelated. Its leaves are dark green and tubular, growing in leafy clusters. Each plant develops several flowering stems, each topped with a globe-like cluster of pink or white flowers. The flowers bloom in the spring and are very showy. 

Snow in Summer

	botanical name Cerastium tomentosum
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.5 to 1 foot
	hardiness zones 3 to 7

Snow in summer is a pretty plant that is native to Europe. It blooms in early summer with a carpet of showy, small, white flowers. The leaves are tiny and silvery green in color. This low-growing plant makes an excellent ground cover for filling in smaller spaces in a rock garden or xeriscape. 

Grow snow in summer in a location with full sun. Give it gritty, very well-drained soil. and avoid waterlogged or wet soil conditions. Snow in summer can be grown from seed and spread by creeping runners and self-seeding. You may reduce unwanted self-seeding by trimming off spent flowerheads, but that becomes difficult with larger mats of vegetation. This plant is not bothered by browsing deer. 

Stiff Aster

	botanical name Ionactis linariifolia
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1 to 2 feet
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

Many varieties of aster have good drought tolerance and would be suitable for a rock garden or xeriscape. The stiff aster is a smallish variety native to eastern North America. It is easy to grow and typically reaches no more than 12 to 15 inches tall. Stiff aster needs full exposure to sunlight with average-quality, dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This plant would be at home along a border or edge with other low-growing plants, where taller plants won’t overtake it.

Stiff aster has thin, rigid leaves growing along branching stems. The plant forms loose clumps and tends to sprawl rather than grow upright. The long-blooming flowers last through the summer months and into fall. The flowers are pale purple and attract plenty of butterflies and other pollinators. 

Stonecrop ‘Dragon’s Blood’

	botanical name Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 to 0.5 foot
	hardiness zones 4 to 9

This hardy succulent would make a colorful addition to a xeriscape. In a rock garden, use it as a ground cover to fill in spaces between larger rocks or along edges. This stonecrop has colorful red-tinted leaves that stay evergreen in warmer winter climates. Small pink flowers bloom in late summer or early fall. Deer and rabbits do not bother this plant. 

‘Dragon’s Blood’ sedum, also called Caucasian stonecrop, is easy to grow and low-maintenance. It prefers full sun and dry to medium-moisture soil.

Add sand or grit to make sure the soil is very well-drained. These plants stay low to the ground, creeping and taking root where bare stems touch the soil surface. New plants can be grown from seed or propagated from stem cuttings. 

Wooly Thyme

	botanical name Thymus pseudolanuginosus
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 0.25 foot
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

This low-growing, creeping ground cover is native to Europe. Creeping thyme is easy to grow, low maintenance, and best suited to full sun. It thrives in loose, dry, sandy, or gritty soil and is not tolerant of wet or poorly drained soil. This is a great little plant for edges and borders in dry rock gardens and xeriscapes.

Wooly thyme has hairy leaves and stems, giving the plant a silvery-green appearance. Pale purple flowers bloom in early to mid-summer.

Although this is a variety of thyme, the leaves are not particularly fragrant; it is grown primarily for decorative purposes rather than culinary uses. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Deer do not bother this plant.

Yellow Coneflower

	botanical name Echicanea paradoxa
	plant type Herbaceous perennial
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 5 to 8

You may already be familiar with the purple coneflower. The yellow coneflower is native to the south-central United States and blooms with beautiful yellow flowers.

The flowers are very showy, blooming in mid to late summer. The flowers are long-lasting and attract assorted butterflies, bees, and birds. These plants are resistant to deer and rabbits. 

Yellow coneflower is easily grown from seed or by dividing overcrowded clusters. In its native habitat, yellow coneflower grows in dry grasslands and dry, rocky glades. These plants are well adapted to a sunny rock garden or xeriscape planting. Give them average-quality, dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Grow them alongside purple coneflower (E. purpurea) for a strikingly-beautiful color contrast.