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Features
An evergreen sub-shrub which forms mounds of small, narrow, dark green foliage. From late spring it produces clusters of white flowers; the clusters are initially flat, then become more rounded.
What to use it for
Great for beds and borders, especially as edging and ground cover. Also works well in rock or gravel gardens, in wall crevices and in containers.
How to look after it
Requires little maintenance except the annual pruning described below.
Be careful not to overwater it.
How to prune it
Prune it lightly after flowering to keep it in a compact form. Can be hard pruned if it becomes too spread out.
Deadheading the first flush of flowers may also encourage a second flush later in the summer.
How to propagate it
Seeds can be collected in mid to late summer and sown in a cold frame in autumn. Alternatively, take semi-ripe stem cuttings in midsummer or use simple layering in spring or summer.
Common problems
Often munched on by slugs, snails and caterpillars. It is generally disease free.
This plant may spread invasively, particularly by layering wherever a stem touches the ground.
Other useful information
This plant has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS.
The genus name ‘Iberis‘ reflects this plant’s Mediterranean origins, taking its name from the Iberian peninsula of Spain and Portugal.
