Draba aizoides

Draba aizoides, also known as False Aizoon Draba, is a small spreading alpine perennial, forming cushions composed of rosettes of semi-evergreen stiff leaves from which emerge in late spring or early summer naked stems bearing clusters of bright yellow flowers. This montane plant requires a sunny exposure and a perfectly drained soil. It can be used in rock gardens or between stones.

This Draba, also called Rock Draba or False Houseleek, is an herbaceous plant of the Brassicaceae family, like rapeseed and mustard. It is native to mountainous areas of Great Britain, central and southern Europe. This ground-covering plant will not exceed 10cm (4in) in height, spreading about twenty centimetres on the ground. This particular habit, known as a cushion, is characteristic of mountain plants, this arrangement protects them from wind, cold, and drought. From April to July, its bright yellow flowers with 4 petals appear, gathered in clusters at the ends of smooth peduncles. They emerge from small basal rosettes of tough and stiff leaves, semi-evergreen to evergreen, measuring from 0.5 to 2cm (1in) long, elongated and pointed, with edges equipped with stiff bristles. Its fruit stalks remain on the plants for a long time, resembling candelabras, from winter until the new spring flowering.

Draba aizoides will naturally find its place in rockeries, in a very bright location, in a perfectly drained soil that retains some moisture in summer. It fears heavy winter rains. It can also be planted between stones in a wall alongside wall bellflowers, Saxifrages, Aethionema, Azorella, and Dianthus erinaceus.