Iberis amara

RHS Plant Profile
wild candytuft

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wild candytuft visionspictures.com

Other common names

annual candytuft, bitter candytuft, clown's mustard, sciatica cress, rocket

Synonyms

Iberis forestieri
Iberis amara subsp. forestieri
Iberis sabauda

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A variable, upright, branched annual about 45cm tall, with spoon-shaped dark green leaves to 8cm long, and small lightly-scented purplish-white or white flowers are produced in large, domed racemes to 15cm long, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Clay

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted, Spreading branched
Genus
Iberis can be annuals, evergreen perennials or sub-shrubs, with narrow leaves and racemes of white, pink or purple flowers
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to club root