Iberis sempervirens

Iberis sempervirens is a vigorous small plant with a spreading habit, ideal for adorning sunny rockeries, borders, and containers, from spring to autumn. This remarkably floriferous groundcover is adorned with multiple brilliant white flowers, covering narrow, dark green, evergreen foliage. Very drought-resistant once established, it can thrive in any type of well-drained soil, even poor and chalky soil. It prefers sun but also tolerates partial shade.

Iberis sempervirens, also known as Candytuft, is a groundcover plant of the Brassicaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region. This plant therefore tolerates heat and drought once well established. Its foliage is composed of numerous small, oblong, and narrow leaves, measuring only 2 to 3 cm (1in) in length.  They are dark green and evergreen.  They are carried by woody stems that form a dense tuft 25 cm (10in) tall and spread at least 40 cm (16in) wide. The cushions, present all year round, are covered with tight clusters of pure white flowers with four petals, enhanced by yellow stamens, between March and May. Depending on the soil moisture, flowering can sporadically continue until autumn. It is very easy to propagate by cuttings in spring or late summer. Iberis is also highly attractive to bees.

Very hardy, you can plant Candytuft in all regions, as long as the soil is well-drained. Heavy soil quickly causes the plant to struggle. On the other hand, rocky soil does not bother it. You can use it to accentuate pathways. In rockeries, you can associate it with Teucrium, Aubrieta, Erodium, thymes... or even with Salvia chamaedryoides in not too harsh climates. It can also be successfully grown in pots, with regular watering, in a light and perfectly drained substrate.