PlantFiles: Evergreen Candytuft
Iberis sempervirens

This is one of those low, edging/carpeting plants that makes everyone behind it look better than they otherwise might.

While our seed-grown candytuft had enough sun, it cascaded down a 4' stone retaining wall for about 8 linear feet and made a very beautiful waterfall of pristine white beneath the hybrid musk rose 'Cornelia.

But it seems we've been having ice storms in February more frequently in recent years, and this devastates the top and diminishes the April flowering. The plant rebounds after a haircut to clothe the top of the wall and Cornelia's toes with more respectable leaves - am letting a cream and gray-green variegated vinca minor duke it out with the candytuft in the shade of the magnolia growing above. So far, Cornelia has been thriving in this spot - tough rose.

We have had too much success growing this plant. It's planted on the west side of the house in a sandy loam soil. It's very drought tolerant, and fairly aggresive. I have to seriously 'prune it' back every other year. It's a prolific, early bloomer, but we have noticed a peculiar unpleasent odor that is more prevelent on wet days or early in the morning. It's not a plant I would place near an entrance or walk.

I am surprised about the insistance of full sun for these plants. Mine is only in the sun about 1 or 2 hours a day. Then it is mostly in shade, but not dark shade. It is very pretty, and remains green all winter. It has not spread very fast, but then again, it is in a rock garden right above some pavement so it can't spread any further downhill. I did not know it liked "sweet" soil; mine is very acid.
It blooms very prettily, a nice contrast to its dark evergreen leaves. I promise I will add some lime to it.

A very nice looking plant year round. I takes the heat of summer well. I have a couple of varieties of this and am happy with both. My information says it is hardy in zones 3-10.

Great evergreen mound in wintertime. Shear after blooms fade in spring to keep the habit looking nice. May also encourage rebloom in fall depending on zone. This plant is low-maitenance provided it has well draining soil. It grows well in rock gardens. Warmer zones need to protect it from winter sun/winds.

This plant forms a very dense carpet of foliage with delightful white flowers. Enjoys full sun. pokerboy.

We had trouble growing this plant in the Florida panhandle. Even though it was watered every other day, the humidity and hot Florida sun made it appear gangly and ratty looking over time. We eventually had to give up on it.

I've had the same plant now for 8 years, so it is long lived, but it has not grown in that time! It is in good soil in a NE exposure and looks good, but does not grow or self seed. The flowers are a lovely pristine white in spring and the foliage is attractive year round.

Easy and care-free. This is a great plant for hot, sunny spots. Plants will re-seed and form large clumps. I have it spilling over the edge of my retaining wall and it always puts on a nice show.

An evergreen subshrub from Southern Europe.

Has oblong, deep green, smooth leaves. Bears heads of pure white, sometimes blushed lilac pink flowers.

Flowers Late April-July

Likes a moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun.

Can be pruned lightly after flowering to retain the shape and tidyness.

A nice easy plant for a border valued because it flowers when many spring plants are finishing and summer bloomers haven't quite started.