Candytuft - Iberis

This dignified and dependable bloomer is a must-have for a quick, beautiful display. As a fast-growing annual, it can produce dense, fragrant clusters of small flowers in as little as 55 days from seeding. The mounded, slender plants become covered in blooms of white, pink, or purple, acting as an excellent ground cover and a valuable resource for pollinators. Its garden needs are a direct link to its story: the genus name, Iberis, points to its origin on the rocky, sunny slopes of the Iberian Peninsula. It absolutely thrives in full sun and will not tolerate shade or damp soil.

This plant has a long and storied history in gardens. It was known in colonial America by the late 18th century and was offered for sale by famed horticulturist Bernard McMahon in 1804. Its charming common name, "Candytuft," isn't a reference to its sweetness, but to its abundant presence on Candia, the ancient name for the island of Crete. Plant it in your sunniest, driest spots and enjoy a piece of garden history.