Claytonia sibirica Alba

Claytonia sibirica Alba is a rare form with pure white flowers, a small, hardy perennial related to purslanes. Its very low and carpeting growth persists in winter, and it produces a mist of small white flowers. Its small fleshy, shiny dark green, edible leaves, can be added to salads. This Claytonia flowers tirelessly from spring to autumn, but only once in its lifetime and then self-seeds in every corner of the undergrowth. This plant is ideal for ground cover between the roots of trees or shrubs. Plant in the shade, in moist, or occasionally dry, even heavy and compact soil. 

Claytonia sibirica Alba is a plant of the portulacaceae family. This small short-lived perennial originates from the mountains of the American West and Siberia. It is found carpeting the damp woods there with numerous stoloniferous and leafy stems emerging from fleshy rosettes. It will not exceed 10-15 cm (4-6in) high when in flower and 20 cm (8in) wide, for each rosette. It is a so-called semelparous species, meaning that it dies after flowering, usually after 3 years. It ensures its perpetuity by producing many viable seeds. It flowers from April to October in cool terrain, pausing in summer if the conditions are drier (some plants may even disappear in summer). Each stem produces numerous star-shaped, pure white flowers with 5 petals, 8 to 20 mm (0 to 1in) in diameter at the end of short lateral spikes. Its leaves are succulent, olive green, shiny, entire and ovate. This plant has swollen taproots. 

Claytonia sibirica Alba is a vigorous ground cover for the base of trees and the edge of flowerbeds, it does not mind root competition and will multiply naturally. It even withstands the inevitable dry soil at the base of conifers. This humble little plant forms a magnificent setting for bulbs with white flowers such as regal lily, crinums and other Amaryllis belladonna. It is a simple and generous flower, perfect for slightly wild areas and extremely easy to use and grow, but rarely found for sale. It is edible and the young leaves can be consumed in mixed salads in May-June. The pink form is also available.