Iberis sempervirens

RHS Plant Profile
perennial candytuft

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perennial candytuft RHS 2002
perennial candytuft visionspictures.com
perennial candytuft visionspictures.com

Other common names

edging candytuft, evergreen candytuft

Synonyms

Iberis commutata

Plants for pollinators
Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A spreading evergreen sub-shrub to 30cm in height, with narrow, dark green leaves. Flowers pure white, in dense heads to 4cm in width, at first flattish, later becoming rounded, from late spring

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
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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
Habit
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
Plant Range
Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in poor soils. Looks good in rock gardens or in walls. Can be invasive

Propagation

Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compactness

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and caterpillars

Diseases

Generally disease-free