About

Dryas octopetala, mountain avens, is a classic, prostrate, mat-forming, evergreen sub-shrub to 10 cm tall forming wide mats of small, shiny, oak-like, dark-green leaves with white undersides. In late spring and early summer, upright stems bear large, pure-white, eight-petalled flowers to 4 cm across, followed by ornamental, silky, feathery seedheads. A beautiful and reliable native alpine for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or wall.

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
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesRock garden, Gravel garden
Native toN Hemisphere

Care notes

CultivationEasily cultivated carpeting plant in sun or partial shade with a well-drained soil. Useful for rock garden, wall or border edge
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free