«Gibraltarica» - Organic Iberis Seeds

Organic Iberis «Gibraltarica»

For this evergreen Candytuft, start Iberis Gibraltarica seeds and add this lovely ground cover to your garden. This type of perennial Candytuft is a flowering plant of the genus Iberis and the family Brassicaceae.

Iberis Gibraltarica Candytuft is an evergreen that spreads, and it produces clusters of small, lilac or pink-flushed flowers in late spring and early summer. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, yet it is deer resistant. It is the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve in Gibraltar, but is actually a native of North Africa.

Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where it is found growing in the wild often as a ground cover plant. This perennial Candytuft grows from crevices in the limestone, and is often seen growing in abundance from the north face of the Rock of Gibraltar. Its flowers range from lilac to almost white, and can reach up to 8 - 12 inches in height.

This low-growing, perennial ground cover is similar to Iberis Sempervirens Candytuft, except the flowers are lavender-pink instead of white. They open very pale and darken with age. It is fantastic when grown with dark green foliage plants as the combination is stunning! Gibraltar Candytuft blooms in the spring, and it may repeat bloom in late summer or fall.

Candytuft will freely sow its own ground cover seed, so cut the plants back after blooming to reduce self-sowing and to keep the plants compact and bushy. Many gardeners will start Gibraltar Candytuft outdoors in a protected area or cold frame. Press the Candytuft seeds into the soil but do not cover them.