Aubrieta x cultorum Leichtlinii seeds

Aubrieta 'Leichtlinii' is a creeping perennial aubrieta with a generous carmine pink flowering, ideal for rock gardens, walls and borders. This hardy variety quickly forms dense cushions that become covered in flowers for several weeks in spring, almost hiding the foliage. Sow the seeds to quickly obtain a beautiful flowering carpet to stabilise a bank, dress a container or accompany spring bulbs.

Botanically, Aubrieta 'Leichtlinii' belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is one of the many cultivars of the genus Aubrieta, whose reference species is Aubrieta deltoidea. In the trade, it is also found under the names Aubrieta hybrida 'Leichtlinii' or Aubrieta leichtlinii. The epithet 'Leichtlinii', also found in other ornamental plants, most likely refers to the great German horticulturist Max Leichtlin.
This Aubrieta 'Leichtlinii' forms dense cushions 10 to 15cm tall and 40 to 60cm wide, sometimes more with age. Its growth is rapid: in one or two seasons, the plants cover the ground and fulfil their role as a groundcover well. The short, creeping to slightly trailing stems are well-branched. The green to greyish-green foliage is composed of small oval leaves 1 to 3cm long, with entire or slightly toothed margins, slightly hairy. Depending on the climate, it is evergreen to semi-evergreen. The generous flowering occurs from March-April to May, sometimes until early June in cool climates. The single flowers measure 1 to 1.5cm in diameter and are borne in short clusters above the cushion of leaves. They have four rounded petals arranged in a cross and are bright carmine pink to purplish pink, enhanced by a small yellow centre. The flowers are rich in nectar. After flowering, small elongated siliquas, about 1cm long, form, containing many fine, light brown seeds. In a favourable situation, a few spontaneous seedlings may appear among the stones, without being invasive. Like many aubrietas, 'Leichtlinii' is a short-lived perennial (3 to 4 years), which can be regenerated by division of clumps or by sowing. It tolerates –15 to –20 °C in well-drained soil and is resistant to sun, moderate drought and wind, even in coastal areas.

In the garden, Aubrieta 'Leichtlinii' pink can be used as a groundcover for rock gardens and along wall edges, where its creeping and slightly trailing habit highlights the stones. It is very suitable for low borders, at the front of a perennial bed, or for holding a small dry bank. In pots or containers, it showcases spring bulbs. You can pair it with Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake', covered in white flowers, pure white Creeping Phlox 'White Delight', and Arabis blepharophylla 'Frühlingszauber' in purplish pink tones. Botanical tulips like Tulipa bakeri 'Lilac Wonder' will emerge above the aubrieta cushion.