Species Cream-Flowered Rockcress
white flowers, yellow-green buds with yellow-green leaves and stems

Cream-Flowered Rockcress

Arabis pycnocarpa

Cream-Flowered Rockcress (Arabis pycnocarpa) is an evergreen perennial, grown for its large, fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. This low-growing plant can reach up to 20” tall, featuring creamy-white flowers that bloom from late spring to late summer. Its deep-green leaves are evergreen, creating a backdrop for the flowers. Due to its durability and rough terrain adaptability, Rockcress is often used in rock gardens and alpine gardens. During winter, the leaves may turn purplish, but will return to their normal color come spring. It is deer resistant, drought tolerant, and low maintenance, making it a popular choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cream-Flowered Rockcress should be watered regularly to keep the soil slightly moist. During the growing season (spring to fall), it should be watered 2 to 3 times a week, making sure that it is never completely dry. For the winter months, it should be watered only when the soil is completely dry. When watering, it's important to avoid getting the foliage wet so that the plant does not become susceptible to disease. During periods of extreme heat, it may need to be watered more frequently.

sunlight

Cream-Flowered Rockcress (Arabis pycnocarpa) grows best in full sun. It should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day in order for it to thrive. During the summer months, when the days are long, this plant may tolerate some shade during the hottest part of the day. During the winter months when the days are shorter, it will need more direct sunlight during the day.

pruning

Cream-Flowered Rockcress (Arabis pycnocarpa) is best pruned in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. It is important to prune when the plant is dormant, as pruning during active growth can damage the plant. Prune this plant lightly, removing up to 1/3 of the oldest, tallest stems. This should be done to maintain the shape of the plant, encourage new, more robust growth, and help prevent it from becoming too leggy.