Species Lyall's Rockcress
light-purple flowers with yellow and light-purple buds with red-yellow sepals and green leaves on red stems

Lyall's Rockcress

Boechera lyallii

Lyall's Rockcress (Boechera lyallii) is a striking perennial herb native to the Rocky Mountains in western North America. It grows in rocky or sandy places, often high in the mountains, and is related to the larger and closely related Arabis species. Its deep green, pinnately lobed leaves form in a basal rosette, while its tall inflorescences are composed of loose white or pale pink flowers in the spring. Although not common in gardens, it is a valuable addition to a rocky garden, and is a great choice for dry, exposed locations. Its height and wispy foliage add texture and drama to any landscape.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Lemmon's Rockcress should be watered every 7-10 days. When watering, provide the plant with enough moisture to reach the root zone. This species is very drought-tolerant, so avoid over-watering. When necessary to increase moisture, give the plant 1 deep watering until the soil is soaked. Make sure to water directly at the base of the plant, rather than through a hose or sprinkler.

sunlight

Lemmon's Rockcress grows best in full sun and requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. It is important to provide this plant with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and late afternoon. Avoid placing it in direct, intense afternoon sunlight or in full shade as this plant will not thrive in either condition. It is best to keep the plant out of direct mid-day sun during the hottest months of the year.

pruning

Lemmon's Rockcress should be pruned lightly in early spring, right before new growth begins. The aim of pruning is to keep the plant in a neat shape and to encourage an increase in flowering. It is best to cut away any dead, broken or diseased branches and to shape the overall look of the plant. If the plant is in an area with lots of shade, then it can be pruned back to 1 foot in height to help encourage more flowering. In general, do not prune more than a third of the plant's overall height.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.