Iberis amara
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eye-BEER-is a-MAH-rah
- Description
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Rocket candytuft is an ornamental, occasionally wild annual in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family. It is native to western and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa. The species epithet amara (from the Latin word amarus) refers to its bitter flavor. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. It can grow well in poor nutrient or alkaline soils. Produces fewer flowers in partial shade. Found in yards, roadsides, and disturbed sites.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Summer, July-August
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iberis
- Species:
- amara
- Family:
- Brassicaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- western and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are pollinated by bees.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Corolla is irregular, white to light violet. Petals 4, of which 2 outermost long (6 mm (0.24 in.), and 2 innermost short (3 mm (0.12 in.)). Sepals 4, stamens 6. Flowers fragrant, inflorescence initially dense, becoming more sparse in fruiting stage. Flowers in July-August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, lowest soon withering, middle and upper leaves stalkless, narrowly obovate, sparse-toothed at tip (sometimes with short margins), margin sparsely hairy, 3-veined.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
