In spring, the candytuft decorates rock gardens and wall crowns with a sea of bright white blossoms. Thus, the flowering Iberis ranks on an equal footing with classic cushion perennials such as blue cushion or alyssum. Their evergreen varieties also adorn the winter garden with distinctive ornamental leaves. The following answers to frequently asked questions specify all relevant details.

You can enjoy the beautiful candytuft all year round because it is very hardy

Plant candytuft correctly

Plant candytufts in a sunny to shaded location in the nutrient-poor, loose, sandy and fresh soil. Please thin normal garden soil by adding sand or fine grit.(46.95€) Please place the still potted root balls in a container with water until no more air bubbles rise. Meanwhile, dig the desired number of planting holes at a distance of 30-40 cm. Place a potted young plant in each pit so deep that the soil reaches the bottom pair of leaves. A generous sip of water professionally rounds off the planting.

care tips

Your candytufts will become an opulent carpet of flowers if they are given this care program:

  • In case of prolonged drought, water with normal tap water
  • Fertilize with compost and rock flour in March and after the summer replacement cut
  • Cut back by a third after the first flowering phase
  • In January/February, thin out the subshrub thoroughly and cut back by up to two thirds

In regions with mild winters, you can confidently enjoy the evergreen leaves of a candytuft. If in doubt, protect the perennial from frost and permanent wetness by covering it with autumn leaves and fir fronds.
Continue reading

Which location is suitable?

Candytufts prefer a sunny to shaded location. Although the little beauties tolerate penumbra, they fall short of expectations. All Iberis species and varieties do well in mineral-sandy soils that are well drained, moderately moist and calcareous.

The right planting distance

A candytuft more than doubles its height in width. Pay special attention to this attribute when measuring the planting distance. The ever popular 'Snowflake' and similar species should be settled at a distance of 40-50 cm. For dwarf varieties, a distance of 30-35 cm is a good choice.

When is flowering time?

The main flowering period of a candytuft extends over the months of April and May. If spring comes with mild weather, the perennial puts on its flowers as early as March and only sheds it in June. After the first flowers bloom, cut back the shoots by a third and fertilize with compost, the perennial replants diligently and blooms again in August/September.
Continue reading

Cut candytuft correctly

The secateurs are an important utensil for maintaining the vitality and willingness to bloom of a candytuft. We have compiled all relevant occasions for a cut for you here:

  • Shorten the perennial by a third immediately after the first flowering
  • Take semi-lignified head cuttings during the summer for vegetative propagation
  • Prune to evergreen foliage in fall
  • Thin out the subshrub in late winter and cut back to the desired length

The less an Iberis lignifies, the more luxuriantly the flower flourishes. We therefore recommend a courageous pruning back by up to two thirds in early spring. Please note that the distinctive semi-shrub hardly copes with a cut into the old wood.
Continue reading

Water candytuft

The lavish flower mats are the result of low water levels. Water a candytuft only when the soil has dried well. Slowly run regular tap water onto the root disc until no more moisture is absorbed. A dry phase of 1 to 2 weeks does not cause any problems for the spring beauty, whereas waterlogging causes the delicate roots to rot.

Fertilize candytuft properly

The desire for a lean, sandy-mineral soil results in a modest supply of nutrients. Fertilize a candytuft in March with compost and rock dust (€14.13) for a vital start to a blooming garden year. In connection with the slight pruning in summer, the perennial gratefully accepts another portion of compost.

hibernate

Regardless of its Mediterranean origin, the candytuft has a robust winter hardiness. In rough locations, we still recommend covering with leaves and brushwood to protect the root ball from harmful permanent moisture. In addition, please only cut back the evergreen branches in January/February. Until then, they serve as natural protection against snow and the bitter cold.

Multiply candytuft

Unfortunately, the candytuft denies us the uncomplicated division of the root ball for propagation. The perennial grows from a single, narrow main root. The Iberis makes up for this shortcoming by offering us the following alternatives:

  • Cut semi-lignified, non-flowering top cuttings and root in lean, moist soil
  • Sprinkle the lower branches with humus as a lowering and cut off after they form their own root system
  • Collect the ripe pods with the seeds to sow them on a warm windowsill in winter

Since harvesting and sowing the fine seeds requires a great deal of finesse, simply leave this work to your candytuft. Only cut off the withered flowers when the seed has spread throughout the bed.
Continue reading

Is candytuft poisonous?

The candytuft is assigned to the slightly poisonous plants. This circumstance stems from various ingredients that can trigger nausea and vomiting after consumption. The associated, very bitter taste reliably prevents the intake of larger quantities of leaves, flowers and seeds; nevertheless, the pretty umbelliferous flowers exert a magical attraction on children. We therefore recommend refraining from cultivation in the family garden or planting the perennial out of the reach of children.

Beautiful varieties

  • Snowflake: A charming, evergreen Iberis sempervirens that presents us with white umbels of flowers in spring; 20-25cm
  • Tahoe: Vigorous white candytuft with evergreen foliage that makes an excellent ground cover; 20-25cm
  • Sweetheart: Dainty, pink-flowered Iberis aurosica that develops sumptuous cushions and flower cushions; 15-20cm
  • Rock candytuft: Robust semi-shrub with white umbels of flowers for the rock garden and gravel bed; 15-20cm
  • White dwarf: The smallest candytuft that adorns the spring garden with a cute 10 cm height; 15 cm
  • Appen Etz: Evergreen premium variety, ideal for wall crowns and sunny graves; 20-25cm

Category:

Vegetable garden