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Candytuft. The word conjures up visions of small tufts of
candy--and that isn't far off the mark. Candytuft, Iberis sempervirens, is a
sweet plant, with clusters of pure white flowers on a low growing evergreen
plant. And it is easy to grow.
While the name does suggest a sweet confection, the name
Candytuft actually originated from Candia, or Crete, from whence it came to
England. The "tufts" arise from the clusters of flowers–or some may say, the
tufted growth. Iberis Sempervirens, the Latin name has a different origin. Of
the forty or so species of the plant, most were discovered in Spain–originally
known as Iberia.–thus Iberis. Sempervirens is Latin; semper for "always" and
virens for "alive"–always alive–evergreen.
There are actually several species of candytuft, but two are
common in our market–one is an evergreen perennial, and one is an annual. The
perennial form, Iberis sempervirens, is by far the better performer, giving us a
great border plant or addition to the rock garden. The foliage has a nice bluish
cast to it, year-round, so it is attractive even without the flowers. But it
really shines when in bloom. The flowers are a very bright white in color, and
can be in bloom for up to ten weeks in early to mid spring.
Annual candytuft, Iberis umbellata, is rarely seen as a garden
transplant in Arkansas, but is commonly sold in seed packets. The flowers range
in colors from yellows, to pinks to lilac. It has an upright growth habit, and
gets to be close to a foot tall. It does not like hot weather. It is a cool
season annual that is best planted by seed in the fall for early spring bloom,
or in pots indoors eight weeks before frost to use as an early spring annual.
The perennial plant–Iberis sempervirens, is a better plant for
our gardens. It prefers a sunny location with a well drained soil, and will
definitely bloom best in full sun, however, you can see a few blooms in a
semi-shaded location. After bloom, give the plant a haircut to keep it full and
lush. Cutting them back to within two or three inches from the ground, will
prevent the stem from getting too woody and sprawling or appearing leggy.
If you don’t prune the plant back, you will also get clusters of
seed heads. The plant does propagate easily from seed, cuttings or division.
Cuttings taken in mid-summer, root easily. Dividing the clumps can be done
spring or fall.
The sempervirens species is a good plant, but there are numerous
cultivars available which offer some improvements–both in flowering and plant
size. ‘Autumn Beauty’ will bloom in the spring, and then repeat blooming in the
fall. Some smaller growing cultivars include: ‘Little Gem’, ‘Nana’, and
‘Pygmaea’.
Regardless of the cultivar you choose, you will be rewarded with a sea of
pure white every spring, with the perennial candytuft.
This story first appeared in the
AR
Gardener Magazine.
By: Janet Carson
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