Aethionema saxatile
candy mustard
A compact, evergreen perennial to 10cm tall with semi-erect to sprawling stems up to 30cm long bearing ovate to lanceolate, succulent, blue-green leaves and white or pink flowers to 1cm across from spring into early summer
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Pink | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Pink | Green Blue | ||
| Autumn | Green Blue | |||
| Winter | Green Blue |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming, Trailing
- Genus
Aethionema can be annuals, evergreen perennials or sub-shrubs, with racemes of small pink or white flowers held above neat foliage
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in well-drained, alkaline soil but will tolerate poor, acid soils
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Rock garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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