Aubrieta 'Cascade Red'

Aubrieta 'Cascade Red': Crimson Spring Veil

Bright and low-growing, Aubrieta 'Cascade Red' adds a lively splash of magenta-red to the early spring garden with its dense blanket of blooms. This cheerful alpine perennial forms a neat, trailing mound of grey-green foliage, spilling gracefully over stones, walls, and pathways. Flowering abundantly in April and May, it attracts early pollinators while offering bold contrast against fresh spring greens. Its tolerance for drought, rocky soil, and heat makes it a reliable choice for tough, sunny spots where dependable colour is needed early in the season.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 10–15 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flower Colour: Magenta-red
• Flowering Period: April to May
• Foliage: Small, grey-green, semi-evergreen leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil

Uses and Benefits: Ideal for rock gardens, dry stone walls, gravel paths, or sunny slopes, 'Cascade Red' offers a burst of spring colour where little else grows. Its compact, spreading habit makes it excellent for edging or cascading over hard surfaces. Semi-evergreen foliage holds its form year-round, while its blooms provide early forage for bees and native pollinators.

Companion Plants: Pair Aubrieta 'Cascade Red' with Sedum 'Fulda Glow', Thymus 'Coccineus', and Armeria maritima for a vivid, low-growing spring tapestry that thrives in sun, resists drought, and offers long-season interest in alpine or xeric designs.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and sharply drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then sparingly. Clip back lightly after flowering to maintain a tidy shape and encourage denser growth. Avoid poorly drained soils, especially in winter. Divide every few years to rejuvenate mature clumps.

History: Native to limestone outcrops of southern Europe, Aubrieta species are beloved alpine plants adapted to rocky, sun-soaked conditions. 'Cascade Red' is a garden-bred cultivar selected for its vibrant red colouring and uniform spreading habit, ideal for tough garden sites and spring-forward plantings.

Final Thoughts: Vivid, vigorous, and undeniably charming, Aubrieta 'Cascade Red' is a jewel-toned herald of spring that delivers bold colour and lasting groundcover performance to even the most challenging sunny spaces.