Arenaria montana 'Ronda'

Common name: Mountain Sandwort 'Ronda'

Description: Arenaria montana 'Ronda' is a delightful compact alpine perennial forming a tight, bright green cushion of narrow, moss-like foliage that is completely obscured by a carpet of pure white, five-petalled flowers in late spring and early summer. It is one of the most floriferous of the spring alpines, producing an almost impossibly dense blanket of pristine white blooms for several weeks. Its prostrate, spreading habit makes it an ideal choice for rock gardens, alpine troughs, dry stone wall tops, and raised beds, where it creates a charming, low-maintenance ground cover.

Other benefits: exceptionally floriferous white spring display; bright green cushion foliage year-round; ideal for troughs, walls, and rock gardens; very low maintenance

Wildlife attraction: bees and other early pollinating insects

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 5–10cm x 20–30cm

Position: full sun; rock gardens, alpine troughs, dry stone walls, and raised beds; requires good drainage

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5–7.5); sharply drained, gritty soil; tolerates poor, chalky, or sandy conditions

Moisture: low; excellent drainage essential; drought tolerant once established; resents waterlogging

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to -20°C