Aubrieta Novalis Blue

Aubrieta 'Novalis Blue' is a floriferous variety of Aubrieta, which stands out for its large flowers of light blue-mauve with a yellow centre, very bright, produced abundantly in April-May. They are so numerous that they cover in spring its persistent grey-green foliage. Create beautiful streaks in the rockery, on a wall, or in paving, in the company of red, violet or white varieties. Aubrietas are undemanding perennial plants and easy to succeed in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Hybrid Aubrietas belong to the Brassicaceae family, mostly derived from Aubrieta deltoidea, native to southeastern Europe and Turkey. They are rhizomatous plants with a compact and spreading habit, forming cushions that do not exceed 15cm (6in) in height, which spread quite rapidly over a diameter of 60cm (24in). Their semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves, depending on the climate, are silver-green and oval in shape. In summer, the foliage sometimes turns yellow, without affecting the health of the plant, which will green up again with the first rain. The small leaves end in a point and have roughly serrated margins. In spring, between late March and late May, 'Novalis Blue' is adorned with numerous small flowers, but large for an Aubrieta, with four petals, in a light lavender-mauve shade of beautiful intensity. These are very hardy plants, which can withstand -20°C (1°F).

With its homogeneous spreading growth, Aubrieta is ideally suited for planting in borders. Not demanding in terms of soil, as long as it is not too dry, it also thrives in rockeries or on flowering walls: it forms beautiful patches and beautiful carpets of colours, like an impressionist painting. It quickly colonizes the ground, which allows it to be installed on a sunny slope. Between paving joints, in wall crevices, Aubrietas are fabulous. They also work well in balconies and hanging baskets, their stems will cascade from the container to hide its edges. The 'Novalis Blue' variety pairs well with the red-violet colour of Royal Red, or pastel tulips, silver basket, soapwort, or Erigeron karvinskianus.