Aubrieta 'Cascade Blue'

Aubrieta 'Cascade Blue': Sapphire Spring Tapestry

A cheerful groundcover that signals the arrival of spring, Aubrieta 'Cascade Blue' forms a vibrant mat of small, toothed green leaves topped with masses of violet-blue flowers. Blooming generously in early to mid-spring, its compact and trailing habit makes it ideal for softening walls, edging paths, or spilling over rockery ledges. This low-growing perennial is as tough as it is pretty—tolerating drought, poor soils, and full sun with ease. Its early blooms are a welcome resource for awakening pollinators.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 10–15 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm
• Flower Colour: Violet-blue
• Flowering Period: April to May
• Foliage: Small, grey-green, semi-evergreen leaves
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, gritty, or average garden soil

Uses and Benefits: 'Cascade Blue' is an excellent choice for rock gardens, retaining walls, dry slopes, and border edges where a low, floriferous spread is desired. It offers early-season colour, weed suppression, and erosion control in sunny, well-drained sites. Its flowers attract early-season bees, and its evergreen foliage provides year-round groundcover texture.

Companion Plants: Pair Aubrieta 'Cascade Blue' with Arabis 'Snow Cap', Thymus 'Elfin', and Sedum 'John Creech' for a sun-loving, drought-tolerant tapestry of spring colour and fine-textured foliage with contrasting bloom times and forms.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharply drained soil. Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged dry spells. After flowering, shear back lightly to encourage compact growth and potential rebloom. Avoid heavy, wet soils—especially in winter—to prevent crown rot.

History: Aubrieta species are native to southern Europe and western Asia, thriving in alpine and rocky environments. 'Cascade Blue' is a cultivated selection bred for its uniform, spreading habit and vivid spring colour, making it a mainstay in rock gardens and alpine displays across temperate climates.

Final Thoughts: Like a sapphire carpet tumbling through the spring garden, Aubrieta 'Cascade Blue' brings early cheer, resilience, and graceful charm to every sunny slope and stone edge it inhabits.