Drymary: A Delicate Ground Cover for Southwestern Gardens
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance ground cover that can handle tough conditions, drymary (Drymaria) might just be the unsung hero your garden needs. This diminutive plant may not win any flashy flower contests, but it has a quiet charm that’s perfect for filling gaps and softening harsh edges in the landscape.
What Exactly Is Drymary?
Drymary is a forb – essentially a non-woody plant that stays close to the ground. Think of it as nature’s carpet, spreading out in low mats with delicate stems and tiny leaves. It can be either annual or perennial depending on your climate and growing conditions, giving it impressive adaptability.
This little plant belongs to the same family as chickweed and produces small, white flowers that might remind you of tiny stars scattered across a green blanket. While the individual blooms are modest, they create a subtle, ethereal effect when viewed as a whole.
Where Does Drymary Call Home?
Drymary has an interesting geographic story. It’s native to several U.S. states including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, it’s also found growing wild in Hawaii, where it’s considered a non-native species that has naturalized.
Should You Plant Drymary in Your Garden?
The answer depends largely on where you live and what you’re trying to achieve in your garden. Here’s the breakdown:
Reasons to Consider Drymary:
- Extremely low maintenance once established
- Excellent for filling difficult spots where other plants struggle
- Provides habitat for small beneficial insects
- Self-seeding nature means it can fill in naturally over time
- Drought tolerant, making it suitable for water-wise gardens
Reasons to Think Twice:
- Can be aggressive in its spreading habit
- May not provide the visual impact some gardeners prefer
- If you’re outside its native range, consider native alternatives first
Perfect Spots for Drymary
Drymary shines in specific garden situations. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Rock gardens where it can weave between stones
- Xeriscaped areas that need low-water ground cover
- Naturalized wildflower areas
- Difficult slopes where erosion control is needed
- Areas between stepping stones or pavers
Growing Drymary Successfully
One of drymary’s biggest selling points is how easy it is to grow. This plant seems to thrive on benign neglect, making it perfect for beginning gardeners or those who prefer low-maintenance landscapes.
Ideal Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential – it doesn’t tolerate soggy conditions
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but benefits from occasional watering during extreme dry spells
- Climate: Generally hardy in USDA zones 8-11
Planting and Care Tips:
Getting drymary established is refreshingly simple. You can start from seed by scattering it directly in the desired area during spring or fall. The seeds are tiny, so don’t bury them deeply – just press them lightly into the soil surface.
Once established, drymary requires minimal care. In fact, too much attention can actually harm it. Avoid over-watering and over-fertilizing, as this can lead to weak, leggy growth. The plant’s natural tendency is to form dense, low mats, and this works best when it’s not pampered.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While drymary may not be a pollinator magnet like some showier natives, it does provide benefits for small beneficial insects. The tiny flowers attract small bees, flies, and other diminutive pollinators that often get overlooked in garden planning. The dense mat it forms can also provide shelter for small ground-dwelling creatures.
A Word About Native Alternatives
If you live outside drymary’s native range, or if you’re committed to strictly native gardening, consider these alternatives that might provide similar ground-covering benefits:
- Wild strawberry for shaded areas
- Native sedums for sunny, dry spots
- Creeping phlox for spring color
- Local native grasses for natural meadow looks
The Bottom Line on Drymary
Drymary isn’t going to be the star of your garden, and that’s perfectly fine. Sometimes what a landscape needs most is a reliable supporting player – something that fills gaps, requires little attention, and quietly does its job year after year. If you’re gardening in its native range and have challenging spots that need covering, drymary could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Just remember that with great adaptability comes the responsibility to monitor its spread. Like many successful ground covers, drymary can become more enthusiastic than you might want. But for the right spot and the right gardener, this humble little plant can be a true garden ally.
