Have a rocky spot in your yard that’s driving you crazy? Trust me, I’ve been there.
After trying everything under the sun, I finally figured out that rock gardens are the way to go!
These 24 amazing plants turned my ugly rocky mess into the prettiest part of my yard – and they’re super easy to take care of.
1. Creeping Thyme
What I love most about this cushion-forming beauty is how it gracefully spills over rocks, creating a living carpet. Its tiny vibrant blooms on thin woody stems add such elegant touches to my garden.
The best part? It’s completely deer and rabbit resistant. I even use some of mine for making the most aromatic tea, though regular pruning is needed to keep it from getting too enthusiastic.
2. Hen and Chicks
These little succulents have become my go-to for tough spots in the garden. They’re incredibly low-maintenance, growing just 1-6 inches tall while spreading up to 18 inches wide.
In my USDA zone 5 garden, they’ve proven themselves completely bulletproof. Their pink or red blooms in midsummer always catch visitors’ eyes.
3. Mountain Alyssum
I never knew how much I needed this plant until I added it to my rock garden. It’s become my reliable performer, reaching 4-10 inches tall with evergreen foliage that looks good all year.
Those cheerful yellow spring flowers are like sunshine after winter. It’s especially happy in my dry, rocky soil sections.
4. Sea Pink (Sea Thrift)
This petite charmer has become one of my garden’s star performers. Standing just 4 inches tall but spreading up to 12 inches wide, it creates the most perfect cushions of growth.
The pink and white flowers that pop up in late spring make my heart skip a beat. In my well-drained soil, it’s thrived beyond expectations.
5. Snow-in-Summer
My rock garden lights up when these beauties bloom. Growing 6-12 inches tall with a generous spread of 6-18 inches, they’re the perfect size for my space.
The white daisy-like blooms against silvery foliage create such a magical summer display. They’re absolutely stunning cascading over rocks.
6. Stonecrop
Talk about a tough plant! My stonecrops handle everything Mother Nature throws at them. From scorching heat to freezing cold, they just keep going.
The only thing they don’t like is humidity, but in my dry garden, they’re perfect performers. I love how different varieties bloom throughout summer and fall.
7. Garden Juniper
This miniature shrub has become the backbone of my rock garden. As a dwarf evergreen, it stays a manageable 6-12 inches tall while spreading up to 6 feet wide.
The year-round greenery provides such wonderful structure. It’s my go-to for maintaining winter interest.
8. Hardy Ice Plant
Despite its chilly name, this heat-lover has stolen my heart. Growing just 2 inches tall but spreading up to 18 inches, it’s perfect for covering tough spots.
Those bright pink blooms in late spring and summer are simply stunning. With minimal water needs, it’s truly a low-maintenance dream.
9. Carpathian Bellflower
These delightful bell-shaped blooms in blue, purple, or white never fail to make me smile. Standing 6-12 inches tall and wide, they’re perfectly proportioned for my rock garden.
They’ve proven incredibly versatile, happy in both full sun and partial shade spots.
10. Basket of Gold
When this plant bursts into bloom with bright yellow flowers in mid-spring, it’s pure magic. Growing up to 12 inches tall and spreading 18 inches, it creates the perfect cushion of color.
My rocky, dry soil seems to be exactly what it craves. Those 6+ hours of daily sunlight bring out its best performance.
11. Golden Barrel Cactus
This round beauty has become quite the conversation starter in my garden. Its unique golden color and spiky texture create such wonderful contrast against the rocks.
I barely have to maintain it, which makes it perfect for my busy lifestyle.
12. Rock Cress
The butterflies absolutely adore these nectar-rich blooms in my garden. Whether sporting white, purple, blue, or pink flowers, it’s always a showstopper.
Being deer and rabbit resistant is a huge bonus, though I do give it regular pruning to encourage fresh growth.
13. Blue Chalk Sticks
These blue-gray beauties have transformed my garden’s edges. Their cylindrical leaves create the most wonderful cascading effect over rocks and walls.
They’ve proven perfect for our dry conditions, requiring minimal care while providing maximum impact.
14. Rock Soort
The bright pink flower clusters make my heart sing in early summer. They fill gaps between rocks beautifully and create such a lush display on slopes.
Every visitor asks about these eye-catching plants when they’re in full bloom.
15. Euphorbia Fire Sticks
These vibrant stems add such dramatic flair to my rock garden. Their fiery orange and red coloring creates an almost flame-like appearance that’s simply stunning.
They’re practically maintenance-free in our hot, dry conditions.
16. Madagascar Palm
Despite its name, this stunning succulent has become the focal point of my rock garden. Its thick spiny trunk topped with a crown of slender leaves creates such drama.
I’ve found it thrives with minimal water and plenty of sun. It’s definitely not your typical garden plant, which makes it all the more special.
17. Century Plant (Agave Americana)
Don’t let the name fool you – you won’t wait a century for this beauty to perform. Its large rosette of thick, fleshy leaves grows several feet long, creating an impressive display.
While mine hasn’t bloomed yet (it takes 10-30 years), I’m told the towering flower spike is worth the wait.
18. Agave Blue Glow
This might be my favorite agave variety. The blue-green leaves with their golden or red margins create such a striking effect, especially at sunset.
I love its slow-growing nature and solitary habit – it never tries to take over. The pointed tips add such wonderful architectural interest to my garden.
19. Creeping Liriope
This cold-hardy succulent has become my go-to for filling empty spaces. Its dense foliage with narrow, grass-like leaves creates such wonderful texture.
The small spikes of lavender or white flowers are an added bonus. It’s proven equally happy in both sunny and shady spots.
20. Hollyhock
These tall beauties add such wonderful vertical interest to my rock garden. The sturdy stems topped with vibrant blooms never fail to draw attention.
Though they’re relatively short-lived, they’re worth every moment of their show.
21. Creeping Speedwell
Standing just 2 inches tall but spreading up to 2 feet wide, this little gem has transformed my partially shaded spots. The tiny blue and white flowers create such a delicate display.
From late spring to early summer, it’s like having a carpet of sky scattered through the garden.
22. Carpet Bugle
At 4-10 inches tall, this spreading ground cover has become my problem-solver for tricky spots. It thrives in both full and partial shade, making it incredibly versatile.
Those blue or purple blooms in spring and early summer are simply magical.
23. Bluebell
These charming plants bring such whimsy to my partially shaded areas. Growing 4-15 inches tall, their dangling bell-shaped bluish-purple flowers create the most enchanting display.
The 6-12 inch spread is perfect for creating natural-looking drifts between rocks.
24. Maiden Pink
This vibrant bloomer has earned a special place in my heart. Standing 6-12 inches tall and spreading 1-2 feet, it creates the perfect balance of height and width.
Those bright pink flowers keep blooming from late spring through summer, adding constant color to my rock garden. In alkaline soil and full sun, it’s absolutely unstoppable.