About
Aethionema saxatile is a low-growing evergreen perennial, reaching heights of up to 10 cm. Its stems can extend to 30 cm, either standing upright or sprawling across the ground. The plant features succulent, blue-green leaves that are ovate to lanceolate in shape. From spring through early summer, it produces white or pink flowers, each measuring around 1 cm in diameter.
About the genus
Aethionema includes annuals, evergreen perennials, and sub-shrubs, characterized by racemes of small pink or white blossoms that rise above tidy leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral, Acid
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery
- Habit
- Matforming, Trailing
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Rock garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Mediterranean
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows best in well-drained, alkaline soil but will tolerate poor, acid soils
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free