Candytuft (Iberis): Fragrant Annuals & Perennials for Every Garden

Iberis, commonly called candytuft, offers about 30 species of low, mounding plants native to southern Europe and western Asia. Members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), they're distinguished by four-petaled flowers with two small inner and two large outer petals—white, pink, lilac, or purple—and many are deliciously fragrant.

Growing Conditions

In the wild, candytuft thrives in sunny, dry, rocky, limestone-based soils. In gardens, they tolerate acidity but perform best with lime added. They actually prefer lean soil—rich soil produces lush foliage but fewer flowers and weaker stems.

Annual Candytuft (I. umbellata, I. amara)

• Height: 6–20 inches
• Colors: White, pink, mauve, lilac, purple—wider range than perennials
• Most fragrant of the genus
• Sow in situ (dislikes transplanting) in late winter/early spring for May–July bloom
• Succession sow for continuous flowers
• In mild winters, grow as winter annuals
• Popular mixes: 'Fairy Mix', 'Fantasia Mix'
• Can self-sow prolifically

Perennial Candytuft

Rosette-forming or shrubby, 6–12 inches tall with dark evergreen, leathery foliage. Easy from seed (some need 3-week cold stratification) or summer cuttings.

Top Perennial Species & Cultivars

• I. sempervirens (Evergreen candytuft) – Hardiest (zone 3–4), largest spread (up to 5 ft), pure white spring flowers. Many named selections varying in height and flower size. Ideal for rock walls, edging, rock gardens.
• I. saxatilis – Similar but only 6 inches tall.
• I. sayana, I. spathulata – Nearly prostrate, zone 3 hardy. I. spathulata has lilac-pink flowers.
• I. semperflorens – Giant winter-blooming type to 30 inches, zone 7+.
• I. gibraltarica – Pink-tinted flowers, 12 inches, zone 7 (to 5°F dry).
• I. pruitii – Under 6 inches, lilac flowers, zone 7 (to 5°F dry).

Design Uses

Rock gardens, stone walls, border edging, containers. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure. Shear lightly after flowering to maintain compact form.