Description
Caucasian rock cress is a long-lived perennial of the cabbage family (Cruciferae). It comes from the Mediterranean region and the Caucasus. The plants are 10–20 cm tall and form soft cushions. They have branched, densely leafy stems and spoon-shaped, greyish-green, felty leaves that stay on the plant through winter. Rock cress is frost-hardy.
Caucasian rock cress starts flowering in early spring – from April to May. The snow-white flowers are rich in nectar and gathered in racemes that lengthen as flowering continues. There are varieties with double flowers, as well as varieties with white-speckled leaves.
It can be planted at the edges of borders and in the cracks of low walls, and is one of the staple plants for rock gardens. It covers border surfaces beautifully and is used as ground cover. Double-flowered varieties are also used abroad as cut flowers.
Requirements
It needs not very fertile, free-draining but not too dry soil and a sunny position.
Propagation
Most varieties are propagated in spring or autumn by division or by stem cuttings. For cuttings, take the outer shoots or those growing in the middle of the plant. Plant several in pots 8 cm across. They root quite easily, but in summer heat they grow poorly and rot. Single-flowered varieties are propagated from seed sown in spring. Young plants are planted out in their final position in autumn or the following spring, 25–30 cm apart. Mature plants cut back after flowering spread vigorously by autumn.