Mountain avens Dryas octopetala
Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Rosaceae family, native to Arctic and the mountains of Europe, Asia and North America (limestone). It grows 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Mountain avens in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mountain avens at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 cm (2–4 in) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Arctic and the mountains of Europe, Asia and North America (limestone) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Mountain avens toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mountain avens
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
See Mountain avens in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (16 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (8 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (12 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (7 plants)
Questions about Mountain avens
- How far apart should I plant Mountain avens?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Mountain avens need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mountain avens need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mountain avens?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Mountain avens flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mountain avens poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Mountain avens?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Woody evergreen mat with oak-like leaves; eight-petalled white flowers track the sun. Root nodules (Frankia) fix nitrogen.
- Gave its name to the Younger Dryas cold period.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata