Aubrieta Hybrid Whitewell Seed

Aubrieta ‘Whitewell Gem’ is one of the most popular and reliable rock garden plants, treasured for its low, spreading habit and profusion of spring blooms.

 

The plants form neat, evergreen cushions of grey green foliage. In April and May, they are completely covered in masses of small, four petalled flowers in a rich reddish purple shade, creating a striking carpet of colour.

 

Seed Qty Approx 0.2 grams

 

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

Germination 14 to 30 days at 15 to 20°C

Soil and Position Well drained, gritty or sandy soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade

Height/Spread 10 to 15 cm tall, spreading 30 to 45 cm

Flowering April to May, often 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

 

Aubrieta prefers sunny, well drained sites and dislikes heavy, wet soils. It is excellent for walls, rockeries, slopes, and edging paths. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compact growth and encourage a second flush of blooms. Plants are long lived and evergreen, providing year round ground cover.

 

Uses and Benefits

 

Masses of reddish purple flowers in spring

Hardy perennial for rockeries, walls, slopes, and edging

Evergreen foliage provides year round interest

Tolerant of poor soils and drought once established

Attractive to bees and early pollinators