Stonecress Persian Aethionema Grandiflorum is an evergreen perennial plant native to the Caucasus and Western Asia. Stonecress Persian seeds can be planted indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the last frost. Also commonly called Persian Candytuft, this low spreading, bushy perennial forms small mounds of compact stems, featuring succulent, bright, blue-green foliage and blooming with masses of incredibly showy light-pink fragrant flowers in summer. Stonecress flowers attract honeybees and butterflies and resists deer and rabbits. Unusual papery seed pods follow after flowers, extending the season of interest through fall and winter.
Stonecress Persian is a classic choice for rock and alpine gardens, crevice gardens and container plantings, or as a groundcover. Persian Candytuft is excellent for the hot summer garden and hot, dry, sunny slopes as it will thrive in sunny, dry growing conditions. Aethionema Grandiflorum seeds germinate in 2-4 weeks, and the plant grows well in average, gritty, lean, rocky, and well-drained soil, requiring regular to low watering and tolerating drought and heat once established. It is recommended to cut Stonecress back hard after blooming to promote the growth of new foliage.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 3-6 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Environment: Full Sun
Soil Type: Average/Medium/Well-drained, pH 6.0-7.5
USDA Zones: 4-9
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring/Fall
Seed Depth: Surface sowing - press seeds slightly into the soil
Germination Time: 14-28 Days
