Green hedgehogs

Another cold winter day, so let’s continue the revision of genera/species that maintain a nice aspect year long.
Most of them have a very appealing aspect of cushions or domes, with a ‘hedgehog’ appearance. I think this is the most attractive aspect of a rock garden*, having these tiny, or not so tiny, green ‘hedgehogs’ which at some point in the spring will start sprouting stems and multicolor flowers. Some can be more or less ‘spiny’ and have other colors. How can we resist them?!

In this category we have: various species of Armeria, Dianthus, Draba, Gypsophila, Minuartia, Arenaria and Eremogone, Lewisia, Phlox, Silene, Acantholimon, Saxifraga, to mention just some of the most common and hardy genera for cold regions. As always, nature provides the best inspiration but it is much easier to show a few images from the garden.

Then, let’s not forget all the Sempervivums, Sedums, Jovibarba, Orostachys, and the biggest of the ‘hedgehogs’: the hardy cacti species. These should rather go into the category of porcupines though :)
Very easy to grow with proper conditions. Even in the smallest of the gardens one can have a container with Sempervivums.

If I wet your appetite, there is a unique garden center/family nursery in Lindsay, Ontario: Anna’s Perennials, that offers a large variety of hardy cacti (and many more others).

Also, you will find a wide variety of ‘hedgehogs’ at Wrightman Alpines (mail-order business) and they have just published their spring catalogue!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even more, on the subject of succulents, the North American Rock Garden Society, presents tomorrow (15 January) a Zoom webinar with the theme: Succulents on the Rocks.

So, there is a lot to do in the winter, both plants and garden-wise: learn about new species and how to grow them, make new plans for your garden and, of course, don’t forget to sow more seeds! I just sowed one more small batch for cold/moist stratification (out in the snow they’ll go) and the warm germinators are in line for February!

 

 

*Note that by rock garden in this case, I meant a well-drained, sunny location; some rocks for visual impact are nice, but you don’t really need to go crazy on them; don’t feel intimidated.