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Aubrieta deltoidea (Rock Cress)

Rock Cress, False Rockcress, Lilacbush, Rainbow Rockcress, Alyssum Deltoideum

Rock Cress, False Rockcress, Lilacbush, Rainbow Rockcress, Alyssum Deltoideum, Rock Garden Plant, Rock Garden Perennial, Easy Care Perennial, Purple Flowers, Flower Carpets
Rock Cress, False Rockcress, Lilacbush, Rainbow Rockcress, Alyssum Deltoideum, Rock Garden Plant, Rock Garden Perennial, Easy Care Perennial, Purple Flowers, Flower Carpets

Vigorous and eye-catching, Aubrieta deltoidea (Rock Cress) is a mat-forming, semi-evergreen perennial plant that produces delightful, vivid purple-red flowers in mid-late spring to early summer. The blossoms are so abundant that they almost completely cover the gray-green foliage below, creating a striking scenery. Aubrieta excels as ground cover, low and trailing, planted between stepping stones, along pathways, or in the crevices of stone walls. Easy care, Aubrieta is perfectly suited as a rock garden plant where it will reward you with a long-lasting carpet of delicate flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region, Aubrieta is a very cold hardy alpine plant that deserves a spot in sunny gardens.

  • Grows up to 4-9 in tall (10-22 cm) tall with a spread of 1-2 ft (30-60 cm).
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade but thrives best in full sun. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions, but prefers rocky, sandy, dry spots. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Great for banks and slopes, beds and borders, garden edging, ground cover, Mediterranean gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, or containers.
  • Watch for aphids, flea beetles, or white blister
  • Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, but deer resistant!
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings. Species can be propagated by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in fall or spring
  • Cut back after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain a compact form

There are many interesting Aubrieta cultivars:

  • Aurea Variegata‘ – bright gold and green variegated leaves topped with blue-violet flowers. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Barker’s Double‘ – showy double blue-purple blooms. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Bob Sanders‘ – large double reddish-purple flowers. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Campbellii’ – double pinkish-purple blooms. Up to 6 in tall (15 cm)
  • Carnival‘ – large purple blooms. Up to 6 in tall (15 cm)
  • Dr. Mules‘ – rich violet-blue flowers. Award of Garden Merit. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • J. S. Baker‘ – blue-purple flowers surrounding a white heart. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Purple Cascade‘ – deep purple to mauve flowers. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Red Carpet‘ – bright deep purplish-red flowers. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Red Cascade‘ – strong grower with deep magenta-red flowers. Award of Garden Merit. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Variegata‘ – dark purple, violet-blue, pink or white flowers and gray-green leaves with creamy margins. Up to 4 in tall (10 cm)
  • Whitewall Gem‘ – purple to violet-blue flowers. Up to 6 in tall (15 cm)

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Brassicaceae
Common names Rock Cress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 9"
(10cm - 23cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
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Recommended Companion Plants

Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft)
Aurinia saxatilis (Basket-of-Gold)
Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinth)
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer)
Phlox subulata (Creeping or Moss Phlox)
Sedum (Stonecrop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Pretty Rock Garden Idea with Colorful Alpine Plants
An Eye-catching Rock Garden Idea with Easy-Care Perennial Plants
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 7
Heat Zones 5 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Brassicaceae
Common names Rock Cress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 4" - 9"
(10cm - 23cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" (15cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

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