Annual Ground Cover

How to Grow

Candytuft is a great wildflower to start with if you're new to seed-planting: simply broadcast the seeds into a prepared seedbed outdoors in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Lightly rake in the seeds. Keep these seeds moist until germination, which will occur in 20-30 days under proper conditions. Grow in an area of full sun in moderately fertile soil. Trim these plants lightly after flowering to encourage a more compact, bushy appearance. Snip seedpods after flowering as well.

• Environment: full sun
• Soil: light and well-drained
• Sowing rate: 7 ounces per 1000 sq. ft.

Plant Specifications

Iberis Umbellata is an annual flowering plant that grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. This variety is a good option for gardening with kids, as it grows and flowers quickly once the seeds have germinated.

• Bloom color: mix
• Bloom season: summer
• Plant Height: 8-12 inches

Candytuft (Iberis Umbellata) - This wild flower is so easy to grow from Candytuft seeds! Annual Candytuft is a wild flower that is just about as wonderful as its cousin which is perennial Candytuft. When planted from wildflower seed, it begins flowering within just a few short months with colors ranging from white to pink to purple. It is taller and less compact than perennial Candytuft, but as you can see, the colors are striking and it makes a wonderful addition to the wild flower seed garden or to use as a taller ground cover plant.

Annual Iberis is often sold and planted by itself, or it can commonly be found in wild flower seed mixes due to its easy seeding and growth habits. If you want to start a wildflower garden but really don't have a clue how and what to do, Iberis Umbellata Candytuft is a good wild flower seed to start with. You can simply broadcast the Candytuft seeds, lightly rake it, keep it moist and before long you will have a brilliant display of flowers. People will think you are a wildflower expert! This is also a good ground cover plant for gardening with kids because it grows and flowers so fast from flower seed. If your winters are not harsh, wild Candytuft can survive the winters. It is best to snip the seed pods after flowering and give it a good bed of mulch in the fall to increase its survival rate.

Gibraltar Candytuft (Iberis Gibraltarica) - For this evergreen Candytuft, start Iberis Gibraltarica seeds and add this lovely ground cover to your xeriscape garden. This type of perennial Candytuft is a flowering plant of the genus Iberis and the family Brassicaceae. Iberis Gibraltarica Candytuft is an evergreen that spreads, and it produces clusters of small, lilac or pink-flushed flowers in late spring and early summer. It is attractive to bees and butterflies, yet it is deer resistant. It is the symbol of the Upper Rock nature reserve in Gibraltar, but is actually a native of North Africa. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where it is found growing in the wild often as a ground cover plant. This perennial Candytuft grows from crevices in the limestone, and is often seen growing in abundance from the north face of the Rock of Gibraltar. Its flowers range from lilac to almost white, and can reach up to 8 - 12 inches in height. Once established, it is considered to be drought resistant.

This low-growing, perennial ground cover is similar to Iberis Sempervirens Candytuft, except the flowers are lavender-pink instead of white. They open very pale and darken with age. It is fantastic when grown with dark green foliage plants as the combination is stunning! Gibraltar Candytuft blooms in the spring, and it may repeat bloom in late summer or fall. Candytuft will freely sow its own ground cover seed, so cut the plants back after blooming to reduce self-sowing and to keep the plants compact and bushy. Many gardeners will start Gibraltar Candytuft outdoors in a protected area or cold frame. Press the Candytuft seeds into the soil but do not cover them.

Candytuft (Iberis umbellata Fire Ice) - A wonderful mix of highly contrasting red and white flowers. Candytuft if very adaptable and requires only one essential element: good drainage.  Native to Europe, it has adapted to all regions of the United States. This low, bushy plant produces mounds of beautiful red and white flowers which last well into the summer months. Prefers a gravelly, well drained soil in full sun. Candytuft cannot tolerate damp soil conditions or shade.

Start Candytuft seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the end of frost season. Press the ground cover seeds into the soil but do not cover them. Iberis umbellata seeds can also be started directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed once frost season has passed. Candytuft annual plants are fairly drought tolerant, but they do require occasional deep watering. This flowering ground cover plant prefers full sun to light shade. Some gardeners cut plants back after blooming to encourage some blooming throughout the summer. Iberis is a beautiful, flowering, low-growing, ground cover plant that will establish nicely from ground cover seeds.

Candytuft (Iberis umbellata Pretty) - A wonderful mix of highly contrasting pink and white flowers. Candytuft if very adaptable and requires only one essential element: good drainage. Native to Europe, it has adapted to all regions of the United States. This low, bushy plant produces mounds of beautiful pink and white flowers which last well into the summer months. Prefers a gravelly, well drained soil in full sun. Candytuft cannot tolerate damp soil conditions or shade.

Start Candytuft seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the end of frost season. Press the ground cover seeds into the soil but do not cover them. Iberis umbellata seeds can also be started directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed once frost season has passed. Candytuft annual plants are fairly drought tolerant, but they do require occasional deep watering. This flowering ground cover plant prefers full sun to light shade. Some gardeners cut plants back after blooming to encourage some blooming throughout the summer. Iberis is a beautiful, flowering, low-growing, ground cover plant that will establish nicely from ground cover seeds.