Aubrieta cultorum x deltoidea 'Argenteovariegata'

FALSE VARIEGATED ROCK CRESS
syn. A. 'Albomarginata'
Family: Brassicaceae
Pronounced: ah-BREE-sha kul-TOO-rum del-TOY-dee-uh

 

Quick Jumps

Growing Guide
Rainy Side Notes

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GROWING GUIDE

Geographical origin:
Garden.
Plant group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 1-9, 14-21.
USDA zones: 7-10.
Mature size:
Height: inches 2-4 inches (5-10 cm).
Width: 24 inches (60 cm).
Flowering period:
March — May.
Flowering attributes:
Purple-blue flowers.
Leaf attributes:
Small, green leaves with white margins.
Growth habit:
Clump-forming.
Light:
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil:
Moist, neutral to alkaline, gritty, well-drained soil. The plant will take our seasonal drought once it finishes flowering.
Feeding:
After flowering, side-dress with a mixture of gritty soil and bonemeal.
Propagation methods:
Take soft-wood cuttings in early summer, and semi-ripe cuttings during midsummer.
Pruning:
Trim plants back, not more than halfway, after flowering. Pruning will rejuvenate the foliage with fresh new leaves, as well as provide a second flush of flowers later in summer.
Pests and diseases:
Sometimes aphids, nematodes and flea beetles may be a problem.

 

Rainy Side Notes

A sweet little alpine plant, Aubrieta 'Argenteovariegata' can steal anyone’s heart in full bloom or out. It certainly stole mine, when I spied its small green leaves edged in white. The plant is not a fussy alpine to grow, providing you accommodate it with excellent drainage. Some of my plants are growing in a raised bed, yet plantings in wall crevices, on top of rock walls, or in the rock garden, suit the little alpine well.

Aubretia is named after the French botanist artist, Claude Aubriet (1668-1743). The British pronounce the botanical name oh-bree-AY-tah, whereas here we tend to pronounce it ah-BREE-sha.

In 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society gave A. ‘Argenteovariegata’ the Award of Garden Merit.

Photographed in author's garden.