Dryas octopetala (White Dryas, Mountain Avens)
Michael's Opinion
Dryas octopetala is a great groundcover plant that retains its leaves year round. This ornamental plant is best known for the numerous flowers it produces making the plant of great ornamental value. Mountain Avens is usually planted in rock gardens, but is well suited in many places including creeping walls, along walkways and around the edges of patios or scale gardens.
Botanical Information
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Dryas |
| Species | octopetala |
| Category | Perennials |
| References | Mellor, A. Evelyn. The seedling structure of Dryas octopetala. London: A. Brown & Sons, 1911. Print. |
| Origin | Mountains in the Northern hemisphere including Italy, Great Britain, and Poland. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 6b - 6a |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 6a - 6b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Height | 10 cm |
| Spread | 1 m |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Dryas octopetala is a ground cover evergreen that is very mat-like. The plant is best known for the white flowers that usually appear in July or August. |
| ID Characteristic | Easily identified as a low growing ground cover that has flowers, each with eight white petals. The leaves have toothed margins and they have a white underside. The leaves are similar looking to Oak leaves. |
| Shape | Dryas octopetala is a low growing, ground cover plant that resembles a mat. |
| Landscape | Dryas octopetala is usually planted in rock gardens as a ground cover. Plant them approximately 30 cm apart in order for the plant to form a continuous mat. The plant is also known for growing up walls. |
| Propagation | When the seeds are ripe, they should be sown in pots in a cold frame or under a covered area outdoors. If the seed is stored it needs to be stratified in a moist, cold area. Germination occurs from 1-12 months. For the first year, grow them in a greenhouse. When they are ready for their permanent positions, plant them just after the last expected frost. |
| Cultivation | Dryas octopetala can grow in many different soil types and pH levels, but requires full sun and moist soils. |
| Pests | There are no serious pests or diseases. |
| Notable Specimens | There are many specimens of Dryas octopetala on the Tatra Mountains in Poland and in Inchndamph, Highland, Great Britain. |
| Habitat | This ground cover plant is usually planted in rock gardens and it likes to grow on limestone rocks. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Flower buds on Dryas octopetala have black hairs on the sepals and are approximately 1 cm. |
| Leaf Description | The leaves have toothed margins and a white underside which are very similar looking to Oak leaves. |
| Flower Description | The flowers have eight petals that are a creamy white in colour. The filaments are yellow and the whole flower grows approximately 5 cm above the foliage. |
| Fruit Description | The fruit is approximately 2-3 cm. It is an indehiscent achene. The feathery tail helps with the distribution of seeds. |
| Colour Description | Dryas octopetala’s leaves are a rich dark green colour with a white underside. |
| Texture Description | This low growing perennial is medium textured. |
Photographs
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Scanning electron microscope image of pollen grain.
Dryas octopetala 'Garden'
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