Aubrieta 'Kitte Blue' (Aubretia) – Hardy Trailing Alpine (Set of 3 or 6)

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