Arabis Alpine White Seeds

Alpine Rock Cress White is a hardy alpine perennial valued for its early spring display of pure white blooms.

 

Native to mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, it forms neat, evergreen clumps of grey green foliage that remain attractive year round.

In April and May, the plants are smothered in masses of small, four petalled white flowers, creating a striking snow like effect.

 

This variety is especially suited to rockeries, dry walls, edging, and gravel gardens, where it cascades attractively over stones and slopes.

 

It is frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, and requires little maintenance, making it a reliable choice for low input gardens.

 

Seed Qty Approx 0.3 grams

 

Sow February to April indoors, or September to October outdoors for natural stratification

Germination 14 to 30 days at 15 to 20°C. Cold stratification improves germination

Soil and Position Well drained, gritty soil in full sun. Tolerates poor soils and drought

Height/Spread 20 to 30 cm tall, spreading 30 to 40 cm

Flowering April to May, sometimes with a lighter second flush

 

Sowing Instructions

 

Sow seeds on the surface of moist compost and cover lightly with fine grit. Keep at 15 to 20°C until germination. If sowing outdoors in autumn, allow natural winter cold to break dormancy. Transplant seedlings into individual pots and grow on before planting out into final positions.

 

Grow and Maintenance

 

Alpine Rock Cress prefers sunny, well drained sites and dislikes winter wet. Mulch with grit to protect crowns in damp climates. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compact growth and encourage a second flush of blooms. Plants are long lived and will self seed modestly if happy.

 

Uses and Benefits

 

Masses of snow white flowers in spring

Hardy perennial for rockeries, walls, and edging

Evergreen foliage provides year round ground cover

Frost resistant and tolerant of poor soils

Attracts bees and early pollinators