Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens)

Dryas octopetala (Mountain Avens) is a slow-growing perennial forming a charming mat of small, glossy, oak-like leaves with white undersides. In early to mid summer, the foliage is covered with a profusion of relatively large, creamy-white flowers, 1.5 in. across (4 cm), adorned with 8 oblong petals. Reminiscent of miniature roses, they are borne atop erect, leafless flower stalks. The flowers track the movement of the sun across the sky during the day, a phenomenon called heliotropism. They are followed by woolly clusters of single-seeded achenes, each topped by long, silky-feathery white hairs. These hairs help spread the attached seed via the wind. The leaves remain green during winter but deteriorate rapidly as new leaves are produced in spring. Mountain Avens is useful for rock gardens, walls or border edges

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 2-8 in. tall (5-20 cm) and 36 in. wide (90 cm).
• Best in full sun or light shade, in well-drained soils.
• Great choice for rock gardens, edging or as a groundcover.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.
• Mountain Avensis a circumpolar species found in arctic tundra of northern Eurasia and North America, but also extending southward above tree line in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains to Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado.