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Garden Arabis

Arabis caucasica

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Brassicales
Family:
Brassicaceae (Cabbage)
Also in this family:
Alpine Pennycress, Alpine Rock-cress, American Wintercress, Annual Wall Rocket, Austrian Yellowcress, Awlwort, Bastard Cabbage, Black Mustard, Bristol Rock-cress, Charlock, Common Scurvygrass, Common Whitlowgrass, Coralroot, Creeping Yellowcress, Cuckooflower, Dame's-violet, Danish Scurvygrass, Dittander, Early Wintercress, Eastern Rocket, English Scurvygrass, Evergreen Candytuft, False London Rocket, Field Pennycress, Field Pepperwort, Flixweed, Garden Candytuft, Garden Cress, Garden Radish, Garden Rocket, Garlic Mustard, Glabrous Whitlowgrass, Gold of Pleasure, Great Yellowcress, Greater Cuckooflower, Greater Periwinkle, Greater Swinecress, Hairy Bittercress, Hairy Rock-cress, Hairy Rocket, Hairy Whitlowgrass, Hedge Mustard, Hoary Cress, Hoary Mustard, Hoary Stock, Hoary Whitlowgrass, Honesty, Horseradish, Hutchinsia, Hybrid Watercress, Intermediate Periwinkle, Isle of Man Cabbage, Large Bittercress, Lesser Swinecress, London Rocket, Lundy Cabbage, Marsh Yellowcress, Mountain Scurvygrass, Narrow-fruited Watercress, Narrow-leaved Bittercress, Narrow-leaved Pepperwort, Northern Rock-cress, Northern Yellowcress, Oilseed Rape, Perennial Rocket, Perennial Wall Rocket, Perfoliate Pennycress, Pinnate Coralroot, Purple Rock-cress, Pyrenean Scurvygrass, Rock Whitlowgrass, Russian Rocket, Scottish Scurvygrass, Sea Kale, Sea Radish, Sea Rocket, Sea Stock, Shepherd's Cress, Shepherd's Purse, Small-flowered Wintercress, Smith's Pepperwort, Steppe Cabbage, Swede, Sweet Alyssum, Tall Rocket, Thale Cress, Tower Mustard, Treacle Mustard, Trefoil Cress, Turnip, Wall Whitlowgrass, Wallflower, Wallflower Cabbage, Warty Cabbage, Watercress, Wavy Bittercress, White Mustard, Wild Cabbage, Wild Candytuft, Wild Radish, Wild Turnip, Wintercress, Woad, Yellow Whitlowgrass
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
40 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Cliffs, gardens, rocky places, walls.

Flower:
֍
White, 4 petals
 
Clusters of small white, pink or purple flowers. Each flower is about 1.5cm across. Pollinated by bees, butterflies and moths.
Fruit:
A long slender capsule. The seeds ripen from April to June.
Leaves:
A low mat-forming perennial flower with hoary, long-stalked, oblong leaves. The leaves are slightly toothed. The upper leaves clap their stems and have arrow-shaped lobes. Evergreen.
Aroma:
Fragrant flowers.
Other Names:
Alpine Rock-cress, Caucasian Rockcress, Mountain Rock Cress.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Other Information

Summary

Arabis caucasica, also known as rock cress or white rock cress, is a perennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It belongs to the mustard family and is known for its small, white or pink flowers and hairy, grey-green leaves. Arabis caucasica is a low-growing plant that spreads quickly and is often used as a groundcover in gardens. It is easy to grow and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and climates. Arabis caucasica prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. The plant is generally hardy and low maintenance, but it can be prone to pests such as slugs and snails. Arabis caucasica is also known for its medicinal properties and has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and to determine the safety and effectiveness of using it medicinally.

Blog

Garden Arabis, also known as Arabis caucasica, is a beautiful and versatile perennial plant that is native to the Caucasus region of Europe. It is commonly known as rock cress and is a member of the mustard family.

One of the most striking features of Garden Arabis is its delicate and lacy white flowers, which bloom in early spring and can last for several weeks. The plant itself is low-growing and forms a dense mat of foliage that is perfect for use as a ground cover.

In addition to its ornamental value, Garden Arabis also has a number of practical uses in the garden. For example, it is often used as an erosion-control plant on steep slopes and banks, as its dense foliage helps to hold soil in place. It is also an excellent choice for rock gardens or other areas where soil is thin or rocky.

Cultivating Garden Arabis is relatively easy, as it is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, but can also tolerate partial shade. The plant is also drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance once established.

Garden Arabis can be propagated by seed or by dividing established clumps in the spring or fall. When planting Garden Arabis, it is important to space the plants about 6 inches apart to allow room for growth.

Overall, Garden Arabis is a versatile, low-maintenance plant that can add beauty and function to any garden. Its delicate white flowers and dense foliage make it a great choice for ground cover, erosion control, rock gardens, and more. With its easy care requirements, it is a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

Garden Arabis is a great choice for adding a touch of elegance to any garden. The plant's delicate, lacy white flowers and dark green foliage can be used to create a charming display in any garden setting. They are perfect for rock gardens, as well as for use as a ground cover or in mixed borders. They can be used as a low-growing perennial edging, planted in rock gardens, or as a filler plant between stepping stones and other hardscaping.

The plant is also popular with gardeners who are looking to create a naturalistic, wildflower-style garden. The delicate flowers and low-growing habit of Garden Arabis make it an ideal plant for creating a naturalistic garden, as it blends in well with other wildflowers and natural grasses.

The foliage of Garden Arabis is a beautiful dark green color, and it forms a dense mat of foliage that is perfect for use as a ground cover. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions and can be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is also drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance once established.

In addition to its ornamental value, Garden Arabis is also an excellent choice for use in erosion control. The dense foliage and deep root system of the plant help to hold soil in place on steep slopes and banks. It is also an excellent choice for rock gardens or other areas where soil is thin or rocky.

Propagation of Garden Arabis can be done by seed or by dividing established clumps in the spring or fall. When planting Garden Arabis, it is important to space the plants about 6 inches apart to allow room for growth.

Another great feature of Garden Arabis is that it is deer resistant, making it a great option for gardeners who have issues with deer browsing in their gardens. The plant's strong and pungent mustard scent is unappealing to deer and other herbivores, which makes it a great choice for gardeners who live in areas where deer are prevalent.

Garden Arabis can also be used in container gardens, as it is a low-growing plant that does not require a lot of space. The plant's delicate white flowers and dark green foliage make it a great option for adding color and texture to container gardens. It can be paired with other low-growing perennials, such as creeping thyme or sedum, to create a beautiful and low-maintenance container garden.

Furthermore, Garden Arabis is also a great option for cut flower arrangements. Its delicate white flowers and graceful foliage can be used to create elegant and understated bouquets. When the flowers are cut, they will continue to produce new blooms. The flowers can also be dried and used in dried flower arrangements.

In terms of pests and disease, Garden Arabis is relatively problem-free. However, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew if the leaves stay wet for extended periods of time. To prevent this, it is important to make sure that the plants have good air circulation, and to avoid overhead watering.

Overall, Garden Arabis is a beautiful and versatile perennial that can add color and texture to any garden. Its delicate white flowers, dark green foliage, and low-growing habit make it a great choice for ground cover, erosion control, rock gardens, and container gardens. Its easy care requirements and deer resistance make it a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels. With its ability to be used in cut flower arrangements and dried flower arrangements it is a great addition to any garden.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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