How To Grow Arabis Rock Cress From Seed
Arabis Rock Cress is a perennial plant that grows as a groundcover in a rock or wall garden.
Arabis seeds produce plants that form a low-growing carpet, with an evergreen mounding cushion display, covered in white blossoms of sweet fragrant flowers for several weeks in spring.
Arabis produces early spring blooms and is a low-maintenance herbaceous plant.
This rockcress has evergreen foliage and the flowers give off a sweet fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies.
Reaching heights of from 6 to 12 inches (15-30cm), they produce an abundance of white, pink, or purple flowers in early spring to early summer.
These perennial ground cover plants should be trimmed lightly after blooming in order to maintain a bushy, compact habit.
Arabis Ground Covers prefer a sunny location, but can tolerate partial shade.
Arabis love well drained soil types and grow very well in sandy soil. They require good drainage, especially in winter time.
It is cold-hardy to zone 4, though in the coldest areas it will need winter mulch protection for the roots.
Perennials live for three or more growing seasons. Rock Cress ground cover plants may need to be replaced every 3 - 4 years, or can be regenerated by digging it up and dividing the plants.
Growing Arabis Ground Cover from seed can be started in spring or early fall.
The Arabis seeds can be started indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost, or directly outdoors once the temperatures are invariable and stay warm.
Sow Indoors:
Start Arabis seeds indoors 8 - 10 weeks before transplanting and before the last expected frost date. Use starter trays filled with potting soil.
Press the Rock Cress seeds into the soil and thinly cover with peat moss to help retain moisture (you should still be able to see the seed through the peat moss).
Bottom water or mist spray. Keep the soil moist but not wet at 68-70°F.
Arabis seed needs light to germinate.
Germination time is 15 to 25 days.
Transplant into the garden 8-18 inches apart after frost danger has passed. Before transplanting, harden the plants for 10 - 14 days in a protected area outside.
Sow Outdoors:
After last expected frost has passed, Rock Cress seeds can be directly sown into a prepared seedbed outdoors.
Plant Arabis seeds in a sheltered area while avoiding direct sun in early spring or late fall spacing 5-12 inches (12-30 cm), depending on the size of the species.
Water Arabis regularly until established if you're planting in spring, and even more carefully if you’re planting it in summer.
Arabis Propagation
Propagate Arabis by transferring young plants that appear along the runners.
Divide Arabis in spring or fall every 2-3 years.
Plants can be regenerated by burying 6 inches of low-growing stem and leave the tip of the leaves exposed.
Arabis Care
Arabis Rock Cress can grow in almost any soil, and do well in dry or poor soil. Good drainage is essential. Root rot, white rust, and downy mildew may occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils.
Generally, the rock cress takes one year to get established, and then begins to spread in its second season.
The Wall Rock Cress ground covers are drought tolerant once established. But, will appreciate afternoon shade in hot climates. Do not tolerate high heat combined with high humidity.
Plants tend to suffer in summer where is hot and humid, it may determine root rotting.
These flowering ground cover plants should be trimmed lightly immediately after blooming. This encourages a thick mounding habit.
As they propagate easily, make an attractive native ground cover.
They do not need fertilizer.
No serious insect or disease problems.
Plants are rabbit and deer resistant.
Get Arabis Rock Cress Seeds Here
