Persian Stonecress

Aethionema grandiflorum is a beautiful, sub-shrubby alpine from the mountains of the Middle East that has become a popular and reliable choice for UK gardens. It has a semi-upright to spreading habit, with narrow, blue-grey, evergreen leaves that give the plant a fine, refined texture throughout the year. In late spring and early summer, it produces large, rounded clusters of small, four-petalled flowers in a lovely shade of clear, soft pink. The overall effect is quite similar to a miniature perennial candytuft but with a more delicate appearance and a different colour palette. It is a very sun-loving plant that thrives in hot, dry positions with poor, very well-drained soil. In the UK, it is perfect for the top of a stone wall or a sunny rockery. It is generally hardy, but it may suffer in very wet winters if the soil is too heavy. Pruning the plant back lightly after flowering will help maintain its shape and encourage fresh, vigorous growth from the base.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil.

Hardiness: H5碎.

Flowering: May, Jun Shatter.