Iberis umbellata Candytuft Fairy Mixed Seeds

Iberis umbellata 'Fairy Mixed' is a pretty selection of dwarf candytuft that come in a mix of bright colours, ranging from white to purple, including pink and crimson depending on the plant. The candytufts contained in this mix are small annuals that form in just a several months' time, dense, spreading mounds covered with small melliferous, scented umbels for months, from May to October depending on the climate. They are to be sown directly in their final positions, enlivening sunny rock gardens and borders, but also container displays on the terrace or balcony.  Grow in moist to dry, well-drained soil in the sun.

Iberis umbellata is a herbaceous annual native to Southern Europe and more particularly to the rocky coasts along the Mediterranean. The common English name, 'candytuft', comes from Candia, the ancient name of Heraklion, a large city in Crete where the plant is also found. Candytufts belong to the family Brassicaceae, formerly known as Crucifereae, just as rapeseed and mustard do. It is a low-lying, dense plant that forms small clumps, 20 cm in height and spreading out to 30 cm minimum. The branched stems are covered with long, thin, lanceolate, evergreen leaves that are dark green in colour. A plant sown at the end of summer will survive the winter in favourable climates, flowering only from spring onwards. The plants from the Fairy Mixed selection perish after a lengthy flowering period, encouraged by regularly deadheading spent flowers. From May to October, depending on the climate, the cushions are covered for 3 months with inflorescences that are pure white to very dark purple, including shades of pink and all sorts of intermediate colours. They are made up of tiny flowers that are gathered into pleasantly fragrant, small, flattened umbels. Iberis umbellata self-seed spontaneously in light soil, in the sun.

With its attractive prostrate habit and multicoloured blooms, the 'Fairy Mixed' candytufts are fantastic in borders, emphasizing the contour of a pathway or the round edges of a flowerbed. It can also be planted in small drifts, between the stones of a rock garden where it will stay decorative for most of the year. This species adapts well planted on low walls or in their interstices, in the company of Aubrieta, houseleeks, sedums and the Carpathian harebell. Iberis umbellata can be used to decorate urns, window boxes and the bases of drought-tolerant shrubs. For best results in terms of flowering, place it in the sun in any well-drained, preferably limestone soil.