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Brassicaceae
Candytuft
Iberis sempervirens
Indifference, sweetness, architectural cleanliness.
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Iberis
- Native to
- Southern Europe, western Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- Evergreen sub-shrub
- Height
- 20–30 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sharply drained, alkaline
- Water
- Low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 3–9
- Lifespan
- Long-lived perennial
Did you know
- Despite the candy-sweet name, candytuft has nothing to do with sugar — the name comes from Candia, the old name for the Greek island of Crete where one species was first described.
- The genus name Iberis refers to Iberia (the Spanish peninsula), where many species originate.
- Candytuft forms tight evergreen mounds that erupt in clouds of pure white flowers so dense they completely hide the foliage during peak bloom.
- It's a member of the cabbage family and the small four-petaled flowers, when looked at closely, have the unmistakable cross-shape of all crucifers.
- Candytuft was a favorite of Victorian carpet-bedding designers and is still one of the most popular evergreen edging perennials in cottage and rock gardens.
Color meanings
White
Pure simplicity