Dryas octopetala

Description

A super tough shrubby Dryas, forming a low mat of dark green, leathery leaves/whitish undersides.
Large white flowers which are followed by fluffy heads of fruits later (achenes).

A great species to incorporate in a rockery, but we always have to take into account the wild habitat which always gives clues for cultivation. Maybe not particularly good for locations with hot/dry summers or without winter snow cover.
As an interesting fact the flowers of Mountain avens track the movement of the sun across the sky during the day – heliotropism, in order to maximize the amount of sunlight reflecting off the petals and onto the mass of pistils at the center of the flowers, understandable given the often harsh conditions it grows in.

Germination: some sources indicate cold/moist stratification – sowing in late fall/winter. Others specify that the seeds will germinate at room temp. after a short cold/moist period (2-3 weeks). Germination patterns can vary after the location of the mother-plant; it is something I will surely test this sowing season.