Aubrieta macedonica

RHS Plant Profile

Macedonian aubrieta

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, low-growing, mat-forming evergreen perennial to around 10cm in height with small, grey-green leaves. Masses of mid-blue flowers with yellow centres appear on short stems throughout the spring. A great choice for a rockery or raised bed

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Aubrieta are mat-forming evergreen perennials with small leaves and short racemes of 4-petalled flowers in shades of pink and purple in spring
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in full sun, though it can also tolerate partial shade This plant was part of the RHS Aubrieta, Arabis and Aurinia trial 2024-2026 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/ongoing-plant-trials/aubretia-arabis-aurinia

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by seed in spring or autumn, though seed-grown plants may vary

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Hanging Basket
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to maintain shape

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to white blister and downy mildew