Pink, blue, violet, red or purple, mottled with gold or white, tiny aubrieta flowers are an enchantment in the garden when the spring sun first shines.
An ideal companion for bulb flowers, the small aubrieta corollas are part of the first wave of blooming in the garden.
From early spring to early summer, the flowery ground cover shows infinite variations and generously flows over edges, rocky ground and stone walls.
Aubrieta is a plant that is easy to grow. It copes well with chalky or limestone soil and easily withstands temperatures down to 5°F (-15°C).
Soil type doesn’t matter, and it quickly covers the ground when set in full sun. If ever it reaches spots of shade or was planted there intentionally, growth slows down and the blooming decreases.
It really joins in on creating a wonderful landscape, whether it grows between old, disjointed cobblestones, atop a sunny mound, or along an old stone wall… It’s also easy to create waterfalls of flowers for your balcony and suspended hanging pots. Let the stems fall over around the garden box to wrap it in flowers and hide the sides of it. Any container that is 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep will do.
You can also use aubrieta as a cover for certain deciduous shrubs, ideally those which tend to form a tall stem for which the base remains free. That will ensure the plant gets enough sunlight.
Aubrieta adapts to very different spots, from wall tops to window boxes. Here is what each setting asks for and what it gives back.
| Setting | How aubrieta is used | Point to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Cobblestones and sunny mounds | Fills gaps and spreads over rocky ground | Full sun for quick, dense cover |
| Old stone wall, nooks and crannies | Tumbles down the face of the wall | Cut out any portion that has died or dried off |
| Balcony boxes and hanging pots | Stems fall over the sides in waterfalls of flowers | Container 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) deep |
| Ground cover among bulbs | Carpet of colour beneath tulips and other bulbs | Flowers from early spring to early summer |
| Beneath deciduous shrubs | Covers the bare base of tall-stemmed shrubs | Pick shrubs whose base stays clear, so light gets through |
| Shaded spots | Possible, but never at its best | Growth slows down and blooming decreases |
Whatever the spot, sun and free-draining ground are what turn aubrieta into a full sheet of flower.
Most aubrietas sold today are forms of Aubrieta × cultorum, differing mainly in flower colour, foliage and how far they trail. The table below compares the named sorts and seed strains most often found in garden centres and catalogues.
| Variety | Flower colour | Foliage | Habit | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Argenteovariegata’ | Lilac-blue | Cream-variegated | Compact, slow | Foliage interest year round |
| ‘Royal Blue’ | Blue-violet | Plain green | Neat mound | Seed-raised carpets |
| ‘Cascade Blue’ | Blue-violet | Plain grey-green | Long trailing stems | Hanging pots, wall faces |
| ‘Novalis Blue’ | Clear blue | Plain green | Neat mound | Seed sowing, edging |
| ‘Royal Violet’ | Rich violet | Plain green | Neat mound | Edging and borders |
| ‘Bressingham Pink’ | Double pink | Plain grey-green | Compact mound | Troughs and containers |
| ‘Cascade Purple’ | Deep purple | Plain grey-green | Long trailing stems | Spilling over walls |
| ‘Greencourt Purple’ | Purple | Plain grey-green | Spreading mat | Wall tops and banks |
| ‘Doctor Mules Variegata’ | Violet-purple | Cream-edged | Compact mound | Edging and troughs |
| ‘Royal Red’ | Carmine-red | Plain green | Neat mound | Seed-raised carpets |
| ‘Cascade Red’ | Rosy red | Plain grey-green | Long trailing stems | Balcony boxes |
| ‘Doctor Mules’ | Deep violet-purple | Plain grey-green | Low, spreading mat | Walls and rock gardens |
| ‘Whitewell Gem’ | Red-purple | Plain grey-green | Spreading mat | Paving gaps, wall tops |
| ‘Aureovariegata’ | Lilac-purple | Gold-variegated | Compact, slow | Brightening dull corners |
Apart from regular watering in summer when the weather gets hot, aubrieta really doesn’t need any care at all.
To keep them from spreading out too much, prune or trim along edges. You can also cut young stems back entirely after the blooming during the first two or three years after planting. This will ensure the plant grows back more densely, providing a lush, full carpet. For specimens growing in nooks and crannies along walls, simply cut out any portion that has died or dried off.
In summer, aubrieta sometimes tends to dry out, nothing to worry about! Remove parts that dry out after the blooming and cover the bunch with a bit of light soil mix.
When the plant starts growing sparse, it’s a sign that the plant is growing old. That’s when dividing the bunch is most appropriate. Operate after the blooming, pulling the plant out completely. Thread out the younger, densest clumps about 2 inches (5 cm) across and replant them immediately at a distance of about 8 inches (20 cm).
M.-C. D.
