Iberis Hyacinth Flowered Seeds

Iberis amara coronaria 'Giant Hyacinth Flowered' is a great improvement  of a species of annual candytuft, also known as rocket candytuft. It is sown directly in its final position, after the last frosts, and quickly forms pretty, prostrate, well-branched mounds that are covered from June to September, with large clusters of pleasantly scented, white flowers. Its snowy, fragrant cushions work wonders in rock gardens, borders and planters. Grow in moist to dry, well-drained soil in the sun.

Iberis amara is native to Central and Southern Europe and Algeria. It is present in almost all of France. The common English name, 'candytuft', comes from Candia, the ancient name of Heraklion, a large city in Crete where the plant is also found. This plant of the family Brassicaceae, formerly known as Crucifereae, can be found in fields and on hillsides. It is a low-lying annual to biennial plant that forms small clumps, 30 to 40 cm in width and height. The semi-woody, branched stems are covered with long, thin, slightly lobed and dentate, ciliate, pubescent, spatulate leaves that are dark green in colour. A plant sown at the end of summer will survive the winter in favourable climates, flowering only from spring onwards. Seedlings sown in spring require 10 to 12 weeks to flower. From May to October, depending on the climate, the cushions are covered for 3 months with pure white inflorescences made up of tiny white flowers that are gathered into beautiful, highly fragrant clusters. Its seeds, which contain a bitter substance, have long been used in phytotherapy, particularly in homeopathy to treat gastrointestinal problems. 

With its attractive prostrate habit and snowy, fragrant blooms, the 'Giant Hyacinth Flowered' candytuft is fantastic in borders, emphasizing the contour of a pathway or the round edges of a flowerbed. It can also be planted in small drifts, between the stones of a rock garden where it will stay decorative for most of the year. This species adapts well planted on low walls or in their interstices, in the company of Aubrieta, houseleeks, sedums and the Carpathian harebell. This candytuft can be used to decorate basins, window boxes and the bases of drought-tolerant perennials or shrubs. For best results, place it in the sun in any well-drained, preferably limestone soil.