Practical
Plants

Aubrietia deltoidea

Aubretia

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Material uses

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

A useful ground cover for a sunny position, it should be cut back after flowering to prevent it becoming straggly[6]. It forms a carpet of growth[8].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Europe - S. Greece. A garden escape in Britain[5].
Habitat
Amongst rocks, mainly in hilly areas[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
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 - surface sow in an outdoor seed bed in the spring. Light aids germination. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 18°c[4]. When they are growing away well, plant them out into their permanent positions. Division after flowering[3]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Cuttings, June/July in a frame[3]. Layering after flowering[1].

Cultivation

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

Prefers full sun and a neutral to alkaline soil[7]. Prefers a limey soil[2]. Dislikes shade except in areas with hot summers[7]. Thrives in any deep rich loam in any situation except in the shade of trees[1]. Plants are apt to die out in heavy or damp soils[3][7]. Plants can be grown in old walls[9]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is the parent of the cultivated garden aubretias and there are also many named varieties[8]. Plants often self-sow in gardens[9]. A good bee and butterfly plant[10][2].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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