Arabis caucasica
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Arabis albida
- Arabis alpina
- Arabis alpina subsp. caucasica
- Arabis billardieri
- Phonetic Spelling
- AR-uh-biss kaw-KAS-ee-kuh
- Description
-
This showy, sprawling evergreen perennial is native to crevices of limestone rocks, along streams and in calcareous alpine meadows of Europe. It has naturalized in Canada and parts of the northern U.S. Ideal conditions for growth include a location with full sun and gritty, alkaline, well-drained soil. Once planted, it is advisable to let the plant remain in that spot as it does not like its roots disturbed.
The sweet-scented flowers are typically white, however, varieties pink or rose. Cut back foliage after bloom to promote denser growth habit. This will also encourage healthier foliage growth. Failure to cut back can lead to long, bare branches with foliage only appearing at the ends, and will also limit the spread of its rhizomes.
The leaves are edible, primarily used as a garnish.
Wildlife Value: Members of the Arabis genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Scaphandrena) arabis. This plant is deer and rabbit resistant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids are an occasional issue. Root rot, white rust, and downy mildew may occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils. Plants tend to suffer in summer heat south of Zone 6.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Compinkie'
Height to 2', rosy-pink flowers. - 'Flore Pleno'
Late bloom, double, long-lasting white flowers. - 'Little Treasure Deep Rose'
Rose-pink flowers, early bloom. - 'Rosabella'
Rose colored blooms that fade as temperatures rise. - 'Snowball'
4-6' height with white flowers. - 'Snow cap'
Large white flowers, abundance of blooms. - 'Variegata'
Variegated foliage
- 'Compinkie'
- 'Compinkie', 'Flore Pleno', 'Little Treasure Deep Rose', 'Rosabella', 'Snowball', 'Snow cap', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Compinkie'
Height to 2', rosy-pink flowers. - 'Flore Pleno'
Late bloom, double, long-lasting white flowers. - 'Little Treasure Deep Rose'
Rose-pink flowers, early bloom. - 'Rosabella'
Rose colored blooms that fade as temperatures rise. - 'Snowball'
4-6' height with white flowers. - 'Snow cap'
Large white flowers, abundance of blooms. - 'Variegata'
Variegated foliage
- 'Compinkie'
- 'Compinkie', 'Flore Pleno', 'Little Treasure Deep Rose', 'Rosabella', 'Snowball', 'Snow cap', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arabis
- Species:
- caucasica
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Ground cover
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mediterranean, Crimea, Turkey, Iran, Causcus
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the Arabis genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Scaphandrena) arabis. This plant is deer resistant. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- dry, sandy, or rocky soil; drought; somewhat infertile soils
- Edibility:
- The leaves are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- The seed pods will dry on the plant. Once dried, they can be opened to collect the seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- This plant has tiny, 4-petaled, 1/2" long white flowers bloom in spring. The blooms make excellent cut flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Denticulate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has loose spreading rosettes of 2-inch long toothed, obovate, gray-green basal leaves. The foliage is very attractive cascading over walls or in a rock garden and makes an effective groundcover.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed and erect.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
