Arabis ferdinandi-coburgi

RHS Plant Profile
Ferdinand rock cress

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Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, mat-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial to 10cm tall with rosettes of narrowly oblong, dark green leaves and racemes of small white flowers in mid-late spring

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, 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 Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Arabis can be annuals or evergreen perennials, usually mat-forming, with simple leaves and racemes of 4-petalled white, pink or purple flowers.
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Will tolerate hot, dry conditions and poor, infertile soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings, or by division in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Garden edging
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Trim back after flowering to maintain compactness

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, gall midge and flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews and white blister