All flowers
King's Crown Wikimedia Commons
Crassulaceae

King's Crown

Rhodiola integrifolia

Endurance at the summit.

Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Rhodiola
Native to
Western North America, Arctic regions
Bloom season
Summer
Type
perennial
Height
4-12 in
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
rocky, well-drained, alpine
Water
moderate
Hardiness
1-7
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • King's Crown thrives at elevations above 10,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains, enduring extreme cold and intense UV radiation.
  • It is closely related to Rhodiola rosea, the famous adaptogenic herb used for centuries to combat stress and fatigue.
  • The fleshy, succulent leaves store water and nutrients to survive in thin alpine soils where other plants cannot root.
  • Dense clusters of tiny dark red flowers sit atop thick stems, resembling a regal crown, hence the common name.
  • Indigenous peoples of the Rocky Mountain region ate the young leaves and shoots as a spring vegetable rich in vitamin C.

Color meanings

0

perseverance

1

achievement

2

alpine courage

Uses

  • alpine rock gardens
  • traditional food
  • herbal medicine
  • native plant restoration