Silver-edged leaves and bright purple flowers form a spreading carpet of foliage, perfect in containers, walls or rock gardens. Hardy throughout the UK down to -20°C.
Bring colour to even the most unlikely places with this sun-loving beauty. Happy to grow in the smallest amounts of soil, Aubrieta plants can be found in rock gardens, growing between the cracks in walls and overflowing the sides of containers. This cultivar's variegated silver leaf edges add an extra layer of colour, depth and fun alongside bright green foliage and vivid purple flowers. Watch this carpet grow with just a bit of care and a good location, somewhere with plenty of sun and well-draining soil.
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Evergreen perennial
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Flower: mat forming
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Flowers April to July, foliage year-round
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Scientific Name
Aubrieta ‘Silberrand’ (Aubriet's plant, hybrid species, cultivar: silver border)
Common Name
Rock Cress, Purple Rock Cress, Variegated Rock Cress, False Rock Cress
Origin
This Genus originates in Southern Europe and East to Central Asia
Pruning Tips
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage repeated blooming; Trim back after flowering to maintain or train its shape.
Wildlife Value
On the RHS' Plants for Pollinators list, the blooms on this one will be popular with your local bees and butterflies
Positioning
Your rock cress will thrive in full sun, but can handle a light shade if needed. Grows well whether sheltered from or exposed to wind.
Water
Water in dry weather - this plant doesn't like its soil to sit soggy at all but this means it will dry out quickly when the weather's hot.
Soil
Use a well-draining soil; this plant is happy growing in containers, rockeries or on walls as well. Avoid clay soils. Neutral to alkaline soil works best.
Food
Some nutrients in the soil will be appreciated, but your Rock Cress will be fine without extra feeding.
Pet-safe
Yes - no toxicity reported, though it's best for the plant and your pets if they don't nibble too much!
Sprouts Top Tips
To keep your plant looking vibrant for years to come, keep an eye out for the centre of the mat becoming woody rather than green; when this starts to happen you can propagate your Rock Cress by pulling off a shoot and rooting in gritty soil; this way you'll have a whole new plant to replace the original when it starts to go bald in the middle!
