This super reliable and evergreen plant starts to show signs of new life in late winter, here in zone 6B:
The buds start to form soon after:
And before you know it, the plant is covered in clusters of flat, sparkling white flowers in mid to late April:
These blooms shine in the evening and would fit perfectly in a moon garden. I have two of them at the foot of my front steps so I can enjoy them each night.
The flowers last a good three weeks for me before they are spent:
And then I'll cut them back by a 1/3 to a 1/2 and the needle-like foliage will look clean throughout the remainder of the year:
- Typical size is about 1' x 2'
- Prefers full sun but works in partial shade for me
- Most commonly used in rock gardens and as an evergreen groundcover
- Prefers hot and dry conditions and well draining soil (still not sure how it is working for me)
- Survives in zones 3-9
You like?
John
I like! Except for the part about the well draining soil. Worth a try in heavy clay?
ReplyDeleteIs this the same as what is commonly called bog rosemary?
ReplyDelete'Bog Rosemary' is Andromeda polifolia
DeleteWhat a wonderful flower. Don't know if it would tolerate our heavy clay soils, 'tho!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a Candytuft, variety 'Masterpiece'. Good to know about cutting it back by half after the blooms fade.
ReplyDeleteps- ordered my plants from Santa Rosa, will be posting soon!
They are very fine plants. I just about killed myself this weekend in the garden. Too much.
ReplyDeleteI do like it, beautiful white in the garden. I think I killed mine.
ReplyDeleteLovely cheerful little flowers.
ReplyDeleteJust read your post on Fine Gardening and wanted to read your blog - very nice! I have one in heavy clay soil on the south side. I've had it for at least 10 years it's between a couple of things and has grown to over 3 foot in length and 2 foot wide. I've cut it back a couple of times but obviously seems very happy where it is.
ReplyDeleteLove it. Just planted a few earlier this spring for the first time. I was under the impression they flowered throughout spring and summer, but alas, the flowers are beginning to go. That is my only disappointment. If I knew the flowering period was this short, I probably would have gone with alyssum instead.
ReplyDelete