Growing Dryas octopetala

[Tristan_He]

Does anybody have any advice on growing this? I have never had much success - it always seems to go slowly backwards. Can it be grown any more in Wales, or does it just need colder winters and cooler summers?

[ashley]

Hi Tristan, I don't have experience growing this but it remains abundant down to almost sea-level in the mild oceanic climate of the Burren, Co. Clare.

[Hoy]

Hello Tristan,

I did grow it with success for several years in my garden at the west coast of Norway. It had to go though when the road was dug up some years ago.
It also grows naturally down to the sea level at the warm south east coast (a relict from glacial times). There it grows on limestone.

[brianw]

I have what I bought as D. x drummondii ~6 years back. It is now ~3 square yards or so but not so floriferous as it was when first planted. It is on sticky chalk and rubble the builders left behind. Never quite sure what pH this genus requires. Rarely layers itself here. Not managed to propagate its so far. The seed never seems self fertile.

[Tristan_He]

Thanks all, looks like it's worth having another go then. Such a classic alpine flower, and seems worth persevering with. Maybe I'll try growing from seed as well.

[kris]

I have this plant in my rockgarden. Grows very well and few flowers. Need hot sun and lean soil with very good drainage. I have it for about 10 years.