Practical
Plants

Arabis caucasica

Rock Cress

a perennial evergreen member of the Arabis genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Arabis
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
moderate
Height
0.15 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used as a garnish in much the same way as watercress[5]. They are also sometimes used as a potherb[5].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant for sunny positions[7][9], forming a carpet[11].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
S.E. Europe - Mediterranean. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[4].
Habitat
Mountain rocks and dry sites[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - it is best to surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[3]. Seed can also be sown in spring. It usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 21°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division after flowering[2]. Very easy, the divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions if required. Cuttings in a shady border in summer[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in ordinary well-drained soil[1]. Prefers a poor soil[6]. Succeeds in partial shade[3] though it tends to become straggly[9]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought and grow very well on a dry bank[8], they also succeed when grown in walls[219, K]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -15°c[6], but can be rather invasive[10]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[6]. A good butterfly and moth plant[12]. Bees are attracted to the flowers. Plants resent root disturbance and are best put in their final positions whilst still small[3]. This species is closely related to A. alpina[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  9. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩1↩2

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  12. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  13. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

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