Rockfoil is a charming evergreen groundcover that brings the delicate beauty of alpine saxifrages to temperate gardens. Developed as part of the renowned Arendsii hybrids by German nurserymen in the late 19th century, this compact perennial forms dense mats of tiny mossy foliage topped with showy flowers from May through June. Hardy in zones 5 through 7, it reaches just 6 to 9 inches tall while spreading 9 to 12 inches wide, making it an excellent choice for edging, rock gardens, or naturalized plantings in partial shade.
Partial Shade
Moderate
5-7
9in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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The Arendsii hybrids, of which Rockfoil is a member, represent over forty carefully selected evergreen cultivars bred for garden performance rather than wild alpine hardiness. These plants form neat, dark green foliage mats that stay attractive year-round, then burst into flower during late spring. They thrive in the dappled shade that would challenge many other groundcovers, and they tolerate significant shade while still producing reliable blooms.
Rockfoil serves as a groundcover for shaded areas and naturalized plantings where its low, spreading habit and evergreen foliage provide year-round structure. Its compact size and modest spread make it well-suited to rock gardens, shaded borders, and edging applications where denser groundcovers might overwhelm the space.
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“Rockfoil belongs to the Arendsii hybrid group, a collection of over forty evergreen saxifrage cultivars developed by Georg Arends (1863-1952) at his family nursery in Ronsdorf-Wuppertal near Cologne, Germany. Arends founded his nursery in 1888 and began working with saxifrage shortly thereafter, eventually creating a lineage of hybrids that combined the ornamental appeal of alpine species with improved garden vigor. These cultivars were formally assigned to the Dactyloides Group and became fixtures of European and American shade gardens throughout the 20th century, representing a deliberate effort to make high-alpine plants accessible to lowland gardeners.”