Aubrieta 'Kitte Blue' is a hardy, trailing alpine that carpets walls and rockery edges in blue flowers in early to mid spring.
Few plants give as much early colour for so little effort. Masses of small four-petalled flowers smother the plant from early to mid spring, sitting just above neat semi-evergreen foliage, and bees come to them. It grows 10 to 15 cm tall and spreads to 40 to 60 cm, cascading over a wall or the edge of a raised bed and filling gaps at the front of a border.
Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil; sandy, chalky and gravel soils suit it, and it will grow on a dry sunny wall. It copes with dry spells once established and tolerates a coastal garden. Water while it settles in, then leave it alone; it needs little feeding. Cut it back hard after flowering, or the mat goes bare in the middle. It is fully hardy and returns year after year. Good in a patio container as well as the open garden.
Supplied as a set of three or six well-established plants in 1 litre pots, grown in peat-free compost, ready to plant out.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Aubretia, rock cress
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 10–15 cm x 40–60 cm
Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading, trailing evergreen perennial
Perfect For: Rockeries, walls, border edging, gravel gardens, ground cover, patio containers
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Flowering Time: Early to mid spring
Planting Position: Full sun; drought tolerant once established; tolerates coastal gardens; suits patio containers
Soil Type: Well-drained; sandy, chalky or gravel soils
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Maintenance: Cut back after flowering to keep the mat dense
Seasonal Interest: Spring flowers
Type: Hardy evergreen alpine perennial
