Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala)
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) is that can grow up to 10cm tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala).
This plant has several common names including: mountain avens, creeping oak or white-flowered dryad.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: mountain avens, creeping oak, white-flowered dryad
Scientific name: Dryas octopetala
Habit: Mat forming
Height: Up to 10cm
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Ground Cover, Hedging & Screens, Wall-side Borders
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Dryas to consider:
See all Dryas
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Dryas octopetala likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) – Nicolas Weghaupt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
