Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii

The Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii, also known as Rock Cress, is a small and rewarding rock plant nicknamed 'rockcress'. It is a perennial rock plant par excellence, a small creeping plant that is very hardy and thrives in a pocket of soil between rocks. It forms beautiful, evergreen cushions in winter and produces clusters of small white flowers in spring. 

Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii (synonymous with Arabis procurrens) belongs to the family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). It is a botanical species native to the mountains of southeastern Europe, especially the Balkans and the Carpathians. Very cold-resistant and water-efficient, this rock cress tolerates limestone soils well. It has the same growth habit as Arabis caucasica, with smaller glossy leaves and a shorter habit. It is a perennial with creeping and running roots, forming a dense and rounded shrub about 20 cm (8in) in diameter, which spreads little over time. When in bloom, it measures approximately 20 cm (8in) in height. Flowering occurs from April to June, depending on the climate. The white flowers with four petals, carried by numerous peduncles, appear in small upright clusters 3 to 8 cm (1 to 3in) long above dark green foliage. Its small, oblong, narrow, spatulate, more or less smooth and glossy leaves form a small cushion of rosettes. The foliage remains in winter except in the coldest regions.  

The Rock Cress is content with ordinary soil and is easy to grow in well-drained soil. It gives the best result when planted with stones, in the sun, as ground cover, bordering a flowerbed, in a flowering pavement, covering a low wall, or on a rocky slope. It can be combined with other rock perennials such as Alyssum, Iberis, Moss Phlox or Aubrieta, or bulbs.