Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a low-growing perennial native to southern Europe that brings pure white, 4-petaled flowers in dense clusters from April through May. Hardy in zones 3 to 8, this woody-based subshrub rises 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads 12 to 18 inches wide, forming a compact, spreading mound that stays evergreen in warm climates and semi-evergreen in colder regions. It thrives in full sun with moderate water and moderate maintenance, rewarding you with showy blooms that attract butterflies while shrugging off deer and rabbits.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
12in H x 18in W
—
High
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Small, pure white flowers cluster so densely they blanket the plant in spring, creating a striking display that stops visitors in their tracks. The foliage itself is attractive year-round, offering evergreen substance in milder climates and semi-evergreen texture in colder zones. Once established, this plant tolerates drought well and asks for nothing more than good drainage and an occasional shearing to maintain a tidy mound.
Candytuft excels as a ground cover, spreading steadily to knit together rocky slopes, border edges, and sunny banks. Its low, dense habit and drought tolerance once established make it valuable for naturalizing in gravelly or sandy sites where other perennials might struggle. The showy spring flowers and year-round foliage presence earn it a place in rock gardens, alpine troughs, and sunny borders where reliable color and minimal fuss are priorities.
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Shear or cut stems back by one-third after flowering to encourage fresh growth and maintain the plant's naturally compact, mounded habit. This pruning also promotes denser branching and prevents the plant from becoming leggy or overgrown.
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“Candytuft belongs to Iberis, a genus of roughly 40 species of annuals, perennials, and evergreen subshrubs scattered across Crimea, southern Europe, North Africa, Cyprus, Syria, northern Iraq, Turkey, and the Caucasus. The genus name itself derives from the Greek word for a plant from Iberia, reflecting its Mediterranean roots. Gardeners have cultivated this reliable bloomer for generations, selecting forms like 'Snowball' for their uniform, compact growth and abundant spring flowering.”