Spoonleaf Rockcress: A Lesser-Known Native Gem for Western Gardens
If you’re looking to add some authentic regional character to your garden, you might want to get acquainted with spoonleaf rockcress (Arabis fendleri var. spatifolia). This native perennial herb is one of those under-the-radar plants that quietly does its job in the wild landscapes of the American West, and it just might have a place in your garden too.
Meet Your New Native Friend
Spoonleaf rockcress belongs to the mustard family and goes by the scientific name Arabis fendleri var. spatifolia. You might also see it listed as Boechera fendleri var. spatifolia in some plant databases – botanists love to keep us on our toes with name changes! As a native forb (that’s plant-speak for a non-woody flowering plant), this perennial has adapted beautifully to life in the western United States.
Where Does It Call Home?
This rockcress is a true westerner, naturally occurring across four states: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. It’s perfectly at home in the challenging conditions that these regions can dish out, making it a smart choice for gardeners who want to work with nature rather than against it.
What’s It Like as a Garden Plant?
Here’s where things get a bit mysterious – spoonleaf rockcress is one of those plants that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in gardening circles. While we know it’s a hardy perennial herb that’s adapted to western conditions, specific details about its appearance, size, and garden performance are limited in the literature. This isn’t uncommon with lesser-known native varieties that are more at home on mountainsides than in nursery catalogs.
Why Consider Growing It?
Even without a detailed plant profile, there are some compelling reasons to consider spoonleaf rockcress:
- It’s genuinely native – Supporting local ecosystems starts with local plants
- Adapted to challenging conditions – If it thrives in the wild in these western states, it’s likely quite resilient
- Low maintenance potential – Native plants typically require less fussing once established
- Authenticity – You’ll be growing something that truly belongs in your region
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest – this isn’t going to be the easiest plant to find at your local nursery. Lesser-known native varieties like spoonleaf rockcress often require some detective work to source. You might need to connect with native plant societies, specialty nurseries, or seed exchanges in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming.
Growing Considerations
While specific growing instructions for this variety are scarce, we can make some educated guesses based on its native range and plant family:
- Climate – Likely suited to the temperature ranges and precipitation patterns of the western states where it naturally occurs
- Soil – Probably adaptable to various soil types, potentially including rocky or challenging soils
- Maintenance – As a native perennial, likely low-maintenance once established
- Hardiness – Should be winter-hardy in its native range
Is This Plant for You?
Spoonleaf rockcress might be perfect if you’re the type of gardener who enjoys:
- Supporting native plant conservation
- Growing something unique that your neighbors won’t have
- Working with locally adapted species
- Accepting some uncertainty in exchange for authenticity
However, if you prefer plants with well-documented garden performance and easy availability, you might want to start with better-known native alternatives and work your way up to the more mysterious species like this one.
The Bottom Line
Spoonleaf rockcress represents the fascinating world of lesser-known native plants that are out there waiting to be rediscovered by curious gardeners. While we don’t have all the details about its garden potential, its native status and natural range suggest it could be a valuable addition to western landscapes. Sometimes the best gardening adventures come from taking a chance on the plants that haven’t made it into the mainstream gardening guides yet.
If you do decide to seek out this native gem, consider it an opportunity to become a citizen scientist – you might just become one of the first gardeners to document how spoonleaf rockcress performs in cultivation. And that’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?
