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Growth Rate
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– Moderate – establishes quickly and fills in over 1–2 seasons.
– Forms dense, low mounds 8–12 inches tall, spreading up to 18–24 inches wide. |
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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Yes |
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Drought Tolerant
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Yes |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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– Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies early in the season.
– Not typically browsed by deer or rabbits. |
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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– Spring – heavy bloom period (March–May depending on climate)
– Summer – evergreen foliage remains attractive; light rebloom possible
– Fall – dense green mounds persist
– Winter – evergreen in most climates; may suffer slight burn in harsh winters |
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Ideal For
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– Rock gardens and alpine plantings
– Edging or front-of-border plant
– Cascading over walls or containers
– Slopes or retaining walls for erosion control
– Early spring color in cottage and perennial gardens |
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Leaf Description
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– Dense, narrow, leathery dark green leaves form a compact evergreen mound.
– Glossy and tidy year-round, offering great structure even when not in bloom. |
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Flower Description
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– Bright white flower clusters with a delicate blush or hint of pink at the center, especially in cooler weather.
– Flowers are small, four-petaled, and tightly packed into flat-topped clusters.
– Bloom time is early to mid-spring, sometimes reblooming lightly with shearing. |
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Planting Instructions
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– Plant in spring or fall in well-drained soil.
– Choose a location with good air circulation and full sunlight.
– Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper.
– Gently loosen roots, set the plant at soil level, backfill, and water thoroughly.
– Mulch lightly around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch off the crown. |
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Pruning & Maintenance
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– Lightly shear back after flowering to encourage a second flush and maintain shape.
– Remove any dead or leggy stems in early spring.
– Avoid cutting into woody base, as it may not regrow. |
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Water Needs
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– Low to moderate once established.
– Prefers well-drained soil; avoid overly wet or soggy conditions, which cause root rot.
– Water regularly during establishment and in hot or dry spells. |
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Light Needs
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– Full sun (6+ hours of direct light daily) is essential for best flowering and compact growth.
– Tolerates light shade, but with reduced flower performance. |
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Harvesting
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– Not typically harvested for floral arrangements due to short stem length.
– May be used in small posies or cut flower work for early spring color. |
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Fertilizing
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– Apply a balanced granular fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring.
– Over-fertilizing may lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
– Compost or organic mulch can support healthy soil structure over time. |
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Pollination
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– Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other early-season insects.
– Flowers are nectar-rich and highly attractive to pollinators.
– Self-fertile but not typically grown for seed. |
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Companion Plants
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– Aubrieta – both offer cascading, early-spring color for rock gardens
– Arabis (Rock Cress) – similar growth habit and bloom time
– Sedum – contrasting foliage and drought tolerance
– Lavandula (Lavender) – same sun and soil needs, adds fragrance
– Thymus (Creeping Thyme) – complementary groundcover
– Dianthus – adds height and fragrance above the mounded Iberis form
– Nepeta (Catmint) – soft, gray foliage and blue flowers provide lovely contrast |
