Arenaria montana

The Arenaria montana, also known as the Mountain Sandwort, is a perennial rock plant that quickly forms a wide carpet, covered from May to July with a multitude of small white flowers that are very fresh. It is an excellent evergreen ground cover, hardy and easy to grow.

Originally from southwestern Europe, the Mountain Sandwort belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, like carnations and baby's breath. It has a spreading habit with an average height of 15 cm (6in) and a width of 40 cm (16in). Its small white flowers (+ or - 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter) have a green-yellow eye and are carried on small upright stems. They emerge above a pretty evergreen foliage composed of tiny green leaves.

Naturally growing in the mountains, in gravel, it is a hardy plant (at least down to -15°C (5°F)) adapted to extreme conditions, which makes its cultivation easy and worry-free. You can plant it in full sun or under very light shade, in any soil, preferably poor, slightly moist and well-drained. Its straightforward care consists of a moderately severe pruning at the end of flowering. It will quickly regrow full of vigour.

In the garden, you can place it in rockeries, pots, and in a trough, where it will be charming with Ashy Cranesbill Geraniums or with Sand Pink Carnations.