Iberis umbellata Candytuft PFAF Plant Database

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Iberis umbellata - L.

Common Name

Candytuft

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Bushy and rocky places on calcareous soils[50].

Range

S. Europe.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Iberis umbellata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera.It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.




http://www.hear.org/starr/Idesia polycarpa

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Easily grown in a good, well-drained ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[1]. Prefers a calcareous soil but tolerates mildly acid soils[1]. Succeeds in poor soils[200] and on dry walls[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A fast-growing plant[188]. Do not grow the plants too close together[1]. A good butterfly, moth and bee plant[30, 108].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in situ for summer flowering or late summer in situ for a spring flowering[200]. The seed germinates within 3 weeks.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
50200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[30]Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.

An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.

[50]? Flora Europaea

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[108]International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees.

The title says it all.

[188]Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers

Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers comment

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