Dryas x suendermannii

Dryas x suendermannii, also known as the Egret, is an evergreen subshrub with a creeping habit that, in late spring, is covered with small cream-white flowers. A superb ground cover for arid and rocky areas, perfect for rock gardens.

Native to the Northern Hemisphere and belonging to the Rosaceae family, this delightful alpine is a cross between two species: Dryas octopelata and Dryas drummondii. It forms a persistant carpet with an average height of 10cm (4in) and spreads over 1 square metre. Its foliage consists of small leaves resembling those of the Oak, which often turn bronze during winter.

From May to June, Dryas x suendermannii is covered with pale yellow buds that open into cream-white flowers punctuated with yellow stamens. In July, it bears fruit in the form of small feathery egrettes, similar to wild clematis.

If botanists describe it as orophilous, it is because it is particularly well adapted to the mountains. Indeed, this little goddess (in Greek and Roman mythology, a Dryad is the nymph protector of trees and woods) prefers poor, dry, rocky, and well-draining soils. It is a very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to -15°C (5°F). Its only fear is winter humidity.

In the garden, you should place it in a sunny spot, close to its original habitat, ideally in a rock garden where it can accompany other alpines such as Saxifrages, Sempervivums, or Rock Geraniums.