In short
- An evergreen ground cover forming flat, dense cushions up to 60 cm wide.
- Flowers profusely in April and May, strongly attracting bees and butterflies.
- Requires full sun and free-draining, rather alkaline soil.
- After flowering it should be cut back hard so it does not go bare in the middle.
- Drought- and frost-resistant, non-toxic.
Botanical data
- Family
- Brassicaceae (Brassicaceae)
- Height
- 0.05–0.15 m
- Width
- 0.3–0.6 m
- Habit
- Creeping
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Position
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy, Chalky, Humus-rich
- pH reaction
- pH 6.5–7.5
- Moisture
- Dry, Moderate
- Bloom
- April–May
- Hardiness
- USDA 4a–8b
- Propagation
- From cuttings, From seed, By division
Characteristics
A plant with creeping, densely branched shoots forming low, compact cushions only 5–15 cm high and up to 60 cm wide. The small, grey-green, slightly hairy leaves stay on the plant through the winter. At the peak of flowering the cushions almost completely disappear under a mass of small, four-petalled flowers in shades of purple, violet and pink.
Growing and care
Watering
Once established it tolerates drought very well. Water sparingly and only after the soil has dried out; it does not tolerate wet, compacted ground, especially in winter.
Fertilizing
Sparingly — this rock plant grows well on poor, free-draining soil.
Planting
Free-draining, gravelly and rather alkaline soil; ideal for wall crevices, edges, rock gardens and dry slopes, where the cushions can hang freely.
Pruning
Cut back the whole cushions by about half — this thickens the plants, prevents bareness in the centre and often encourages a second, weaker flush of flowers.
Companion plants
Good companions
A classic combination of rock plants — the golden basket-of-gold and the purple aubrieta flower at the same time and have identical requirements.
The white flowers of the candytuft and the purple of the aubrieta complement each other beautifully, and both plants like sun and dry, free-draining soil.
In the same sunny, well-drained spot, aubrieta flowers in spring and sweet alyssum in summer and autumn — together they give continuous flowering along the edge.
Bad companions
They require shade and permanently moist soil — conditions opposite to the sunny, dry site that aubrieta needs.
The evidence level indicates whether the relationship is backed by research, observation, or gardening tradition.
Toxicity
| For whom | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humans | None | — |
| Dogs | None | — |
| Cats | None | — |
History and origin
The genus Aubrieta commemorates the French flower painter Claude Aubriet. Today's garden plants are hybrids (Aubrieta × cultorum) derived from rock species growing wild in the mountains of southern Europe and Asia Minor, selected for the abundance and colour of their flowers.
Uses
For planting in the crevices of retaining and dry-stone walls, along bed edges, on rock gardens and slopes, where the cushions can hang down attractively. It also works well in shallow bowls and troughs on a sunny terrace.
Trivia
- At the peak of flowering the blooms can hide the whole plant, giving the impression of a single, colourful patch.
- Aubrieta belongs to the cabbage family, like cabbage and rape, which is visible in the structure of its four-petalled flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my aubrieta going bare in the middle?
This is the typical result of not pruning. Unpruned cushions loosen over time, and bare shoots expose the centre. To prevent this, the whole plant is cut back by about half right after flowering, which thickens it up.
What site does aubrieta need?
Full sun and free-draining, rather alkaline soil. It tolerates neither shade nor wet, compacted ground; it grows best on walls, rock gardens and dry slopes with good drainage.
Is aubrieta long-lived?
It is a short-lived perennial — after a few years the cushions weaken and fall apart. It is worth rejuvenating the plants every few years by division, cuttings or sowing, and regular pruning after flowering clearly extends their attractiveness.
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)Database (GBIF, POWO…)
- RHS — AubrietaInstitution / botanical garden
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