Arabis 'Old Gold' is a hardy evergreen rock cress grown for its gold and green variegated foliage, topped with white flowers in spring.
The leaves are the point of this one. They form a dense, low mat that keeps its gold and green variegation right through the year, so it brightens a rockery or path edge in winter as much as in summer. White flowers appear above the foliage from March to May, and bees and butterflies visit them.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and will take partial shade. Chalky, sandy and loamy soils all suit it. Use it in a rock garden, along a wall or path edge, at the front of a border, or in a pot on the patio; it spreads to make a weed-suppressing ground cover. Highly drought tolerant once established and about as low-effort as a plant gets. Autumn planting gives the roots time to settle before the spring flowers. Fully hardy.
Supplied as three established plants in 9cm pots, ready to plant straight into the garden or a container.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Rock cress, gold rock cress
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 5–10 cm x 30–45 cm
Growth Habit: Mat-forming, low-growing, spreading evergreen perennial
Perfect For: Rock gardens, alpine borders, wall planting, path edging, front of border, containers
Foliage: Gold and green variegated, evergreen
Flowering Time: Spring, March to May
Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade; drought tolerant once established; suits patio containers
Soil Type: Well-drained; chalk, sandy or loamy soils
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Maintenance: Low; evergreen ground cover that suppresses weeds
Seasonal Interest: Spring flowers; variegated foliage all year
Type: Hardy evergreen alpine perennial
