Candytuft

Iberis
A small genus of spring blooming, evergreen groundcover perennials.

Iberis gibraltarica ( Gibraltar Candyturf )
A bushy, mat-forming, evergreen perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet, that is native to Gibraltar.
The foliage is leathery and the flowers are light purple.
The white to pale lavender flowers are borne on heads during summer.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade. Self seeds.

Iberis saxitilis ( Rock Candyturf )
A moderate growing, cushion-forming, evergreen groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 4 feet.
The very narrow, linear foliage is deep green.
The white flowers are borne mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun.

Iberis sayana
A miniature Candytuft, reaching up to 2 inches x 1 foot.
The profuse white flowers are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

Iberis sempervirens ( Common Candytuft )
A handsome, vigorous, evergreen, groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 16 inches x 5+ feet, that is native to Europe. It looks great as groundcover and cascading over walls.
The oblong leaves, up to 1 x 0.2 inches in size, are clustered near the stem tips. The foliage is deep green.
The abundant, pure white flowers are borne in inflorescences, up to 3.2 x 1 inches in size, during early to mid spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on alkaline, well drained soil with some added organic matter. Tolerant of poor soil and even moderate drought if mulched lightly. It is also tolerant of heat, salt, excessive wind, hail and even fire. Cut back by more than 2 inches after flowering to keep compact. Reports on deer grazing are variable. Propagation is from stem cuttings of preferrably 2 inches.

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Mar 27 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 20 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photo taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Oct 21 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photo taken on Apr 23 2019 in Columbia, MD

'Alexander's White'
Forms a clump up to 2 feet wide in 2 years, reaching a maximum eventual size of 1 x 5+ feet ( typically under 8 inches in height ).
The lance-shaped leaves are up to 0.7 x 0.1 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green.
The abundant, pure white flower appear during mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 9.

* patent photo

'Autumn Snow'
Com[pact in habit, reaching up to 10 x 20 inches.
Very long bloom period during spring, often repeating during autumn.

'Dick Self'
Reaches up to 1 foot in height, with unusually large, pure white flowers borne over an extra long season lasting into early summer.

'Little Gem'
Forms a compact mat reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 3 feet with fine foliage and profuse, small white flowers borne during spring.

'October Glory'
Forms a mat reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 4 feet, with glossy foliage and masses of pure white flowers.

'Purity'
Forms a mat reaching a maximum size of 9 inches x 3 feet, with lustrous green foliage and masses of pure white flowers during late spring into early summer.

* photos taken on May 2 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 14 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 11 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Snow Cone'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 6 x 15 inches.
The foliage is deep green.
Abundant large white flowers during mid to late spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

* photos taken on Mar 7 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Snowflake'
A groundcover perennial, reaching a maximum size of 14 inches x 3.5 feet with abundant, pure white flowers borne on clusters up to 3 inches across,during spring.

* photos taken on April 10 2012 in Columbia, MD


* photos taken on Apr 15 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 23 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 6 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Feb 16 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 13 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 4 2020 in Columbia, MD

'Snowsation'
Dense in habit, reaching up to 6 x 7 inches during the first summer, eventually to 8 x 12 inches.
The foliage is deep green. The leaves are up to 1.5 x 0.2 inches in size.
The very abundant flowers are pure white.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photos taken on Apr 15 2024 in Elkridge, MD

'Snowsurfer'
Moderate growing and ounding in habit, reaching up to 1 x 1,5 feet.
Very abundant, large white flowers appear during late spring.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

* photos taken on Mar 10 2021 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Mar 17 2022 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Apr 15 2022 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Mar 7 2024 in Elkridge, MD