Common Name: Aubretia

General Information

Aubrieta deltoidea is an evergreen, perennial plant
Commonly grown as an ornamental, it is the parent of many cultivated forms. It can be used as a ground cover.
Often grown in gardens as an ornamental, it has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in various countries including Britain, southhwest N. America, Spain and Switzerland

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Europe - Southern Italy, Serbia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece; Asia - Armenia

Habitat

Amongst rocks, mainly in hilly areas[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

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

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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[]. When they are growing away well, plant them out into their permanent positions.
Division after flowering[]. 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, early summer/July in a frame[].
Layering after flowering[].