Iberis sempervirens

Iberis sempervirens
Iberis sempervirens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Iberis
Species: I. sempervirens
Binomial name
Iberis sempervirens

Iberis sempervirens, the evergreen candytuft[1] or perennial candytuft,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to southern Europe. It is a spreading subshrub growing to 30 cm (12 in) high by 40 cm (16 in) broad. As an ornamental plant it is a spring-blooming favourite, often seen cascading over rocks and walls, or used as groundcover. The glossy, evergreen foliage forms a billowing mound, with many fragrant, pure white flowers[3] for several weeks during spring and early summer. When grown in a garden it may require light pruning right after blooming, but otherwise plants can be left alone in fall and early spring. It is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers a well-drained site, so heavy clay soils that stay wet in winter should be avoided. It is not easily divided.[4] Iberis sempervirens survives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.[5] It is hardy in most parts of the UK, surviving temperatures down to −15 °C (5 °F). Vernalization (a period of cold weather) is required for flower initiation.[6] At least 8–10 weeks are needed at an average temperature of 5 °C (41 °F).[7]

Iberis is so named because many members of the genus come from the Iberian Peninsula in south west Europe. Sempervirens means "always green", referring to the evergreen foliage.[8]

The cultivar 'Snowflake'[9] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Iberis sempervirens". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. ↑ "Iberis sempervirens". Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. ↑ "Iberis sempervirens". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  6. ↑ "Vernalization: Life In The Cold" (PDF). Greenhouse Grower. January 2006. Retrieved 2017-01-06.
  7. ↑ "Whiteout Iberis" (PDF). Ball Horticultural Company. 2013. Retrieved 2017-01-06.
  8. ↑ Brassicaceae [also known as Cruciferae] - Mustard Family, archived from the original on May 12, 2011
  9. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  10. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 52. Retrieved 3 March 2018.


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