Iberis 'Snowflake'

Iberis 'Snowflake': Spring Snowdrift Over an Evergreen Mat

Pure white flowers piled so thick they hide the leaves completely, like a fresh snowfall with terrible timing. 'Snowflake' blankets the bed in spring and then STAYS GREEN ALL WINTER LIKE A SHOW-OFF.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake'
• Common Name: Evergreen Candytuft
• Height: 20–25 cm (8–10 in)
• Spread: 30–60 cm (1–2 ft)
• Flowers: Pure white, in large rounded clusters that cover the foliage
• Bloom Time: Mid to late spring (May to June)
• Foliage: Narrow, dark green and evergreen, forming a dense, low mat
• Features: Evergreen

Where to Plant: Put it where you'll see it in spring: the front edge of a border, along a walk, or tumbling over the top of a low retaining wall. It's a natural for rock gardens and sunny slopes, and because the foliage stays green all year, it keeps the edge of a bed looking finished even in March.

Companion Plants: Bergenia 'Bressingham Ruby' flowers magenta in April and May at 30 to 35 cm, opening just before the candytuft. Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' picks up with yellow flowers at 30 to 46 cm from June through August. Clematis 'Stand by Me' rises behind at 86 to 97 cm with blue flowers from June through August. All three grow in sun to partial sun, so the edge stays in flower from spring through summer.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average to lean soil that drains well. Candytuft dislikes sitting wet in winter, so on heavy clay, plant it on a slope, in a raised bed, or in soil loosened with grit and compost. Water regularly through the first season, then only in long dry spells. After it finishes blooming, shear the plant back by about a third. This keeps the mat compact and stops it from opening up in the middle. Don't cut it down in fall, because it's evergreen. In spring, trim off any tips that browned over winter. It's a woody little subshrub, so it doesn't need dividing. Let it settle in and stay put.

History: The genus name Iberis points to Iberia, the old name for Spain and Portugal, while Iberis sempervirens comes from the mountains of southern Europe and its species name means always green. The common name candytuft has nothing to do with sweets and comes from Candia, an old name for Crete.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, drought tolerant once settled and evergreen. Edge a sunny walk with it. THE ONLY SNOW YOU WON'T HAVE TO SHOVEL.