Aethionema grandiflorum

RHS Plant Profile
Persian stone cress

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Persian stone cress Dorling Kindersley 2003

Synonyms

Aethionema pulchellum

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Alpine Rockery Shrubs
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An evergreen sub-shrub to 30cm in height, of rounded habit. Leaves narrow, blue-green. Flowers small, pink, in compact sprays at shoot tips. Fruit a small, flat capsule

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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
Iran, Iraq, Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Will tolerate poor, acid soils although growth will be more compact

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring. Propagate by rooting softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free