Fendler’s Pennycress: A Hardy Native for Rock Gardens and Wild Landscapes
If you’re looking for a tough, low-maintenance native plant that thrives in challenging conditions, Fendler’s pennycress (Noccaea fendleri) might just be the unsung hero your garden needs. This perennial forb belongs to the mustard family and brings understated charm to landscapes across the American West.
What is Fendler’s Pennycress?
Fendler’s pennycress is a native perennial that grows as a forb – essentially an herbaceous plant without woody stems above ground. Like other members of the mustard family, it produces small white flowers that cluster together, creating delicate displays that won’t overwhelm your landscape design but add subtle beauty to rocky or naturalized areas.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This hardy native has quite an impressive range across the western United States. You’ll find Fendler’s pennycress growing wild in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. It typically thrives in mountainous regions and high-elevation areas where many other plants struggle to survive.
Why Consider Fendler’s Pennycress for Your Garden?
Here are some compelling reasons to give this native plant a try:
- True native status: Supporting local ecosystems by choosing plants that naturally belong in your region
- Low maintenance: Once established, this perennial requires minimal care and watering
- Drought tolerance: Perfect for water-wise gardening and xeriscaping projects
- Pollinator support: The small white flowers attract beneficial insects and small pollinators
- Versatile placement: Works well in rock gardens, naturalized areas, and challenging spots where other plants might fail
Ideal Growing Conditions
Fendler’s pennycress isn’t particularly fussy, but it does have some preferences:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained soils, particularly rocky or sandy conditions
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, making it suitable for most mountain and high-elevation regions
Best Uses in the Garden
This native works particularly well in:
- Rock gardens and alpine plantings
- Xeriscaping and drought-tolerant landscapes
- Naturalized wildflower areas
- Slopes and areas with poor soil
- Wildlife-friendly gardens focused on native species
Planting and Care Tips
Growing Fendler’s pennycress successfully is refreshingly straightforward:
- Planting: Choose a well-drained location with rocky or sandy soil
- Watering: Water regularly during establishment, then reduce to occasional deep watering
- Maintenance: Minimal pruning needed; allow natural growth patterns
- Fertilizing: Generally unnecessary in native soils; too much nutrition can actually harm native plants
A Note on Availability
One challenge you might face is finding Fendler’s pennycress at your local nursery. This native isn’t as commonly cultivated as some showier alternatives, so you may need to seek out specialty native plant nurseries or consider growing from seed if available. However, the effort is worthwhile for gardeners committed to supporting native ecosystems.
The Bottom Line
Fendler’s pennycress may not be the flashiest plant in the garden center, but it offers something increasingly valuable: authentic native character combined with bulletproof durability. If you’re creating habitat for local wildlife, building a drought-tolerant landscape, or simply want a reliable perennial that won’t demand constant attention, this hardy western native deserves serious consideration.
While it might take some hunting to find, Fendler’s pennycress represents the kind of plant that helps create truly sustainable, regionally appropriate gardens. Sometimes the most rewarding plants are the ones that work quietly in the background, supporting the bigger picture of native ecosystem health.
