About

Dryas drummondii, the yellow dryad, is a low-growing, wide-spreading, evergreen sub-shrub to around 5 cm tall with creeping stems forming a mat to 1 m wide. Leathery, oval, rich-green, toothed leaves have white undersides, and short stems bear nodding, yellow, eight-petalled flowers in early summer that never fully open. Feathery, silky seedheads follow. A charming alpine for a sunny, well-drained rock garden.

About the genus

Dryas are prostrate, evergreen sub-shrubs with small, leathery, dark-green leaves and solitary, usually eight-petalled flowers followed by attractive, feathery, silky seedheads. Native to alpine and arctic habitats, they are excellent ground-cover plants for sunny, very well-drained positions.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesRock garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toSubarctic America to NW USA

Care notes

CultivationGrow in sun or partial shade in a well-drained soil
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free