Hybrid Mountain Avens

A natural-looking hybrid between D. octopetala and D. drummondii, this plant is an excellent choice for a large rock garden or as a groundcover on a sunny slope. It forms a prostrate mat of attractive, oak-like evergreen leaves that are dark green on top and silvery-white underneath. In late spring, it produces slightly nodding, creamy-white flowers that open from yellowish buds. The flowers are followed by equally decorative, feathery silver seed heads that persist for several weeks, providing a secondary period of interest. It is extremely hardy (H7) and once established, it is very low-maintenance. It prefers a well-drained soil but is generally more tolerant of various conditions than its parent species. In the UK, it provides excellent year-round structure due to its persistent, rugged foliage. It is best given space to spread where it can form a dense, weed-suppressing carpet over time.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, gritty loam.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.