Overview

Arenaria pungens is a matforming alpine rockery in the genus Arenaria, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Arenaria pungens grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include rock garden, gravel garden, ground cover, alpine garden and container planting.

About

Arenaria pungens is a mat-forming evergreen perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family. Like other Arenaria species, it has small leaves and produces white flowers with five petals. This hardy plant (H5) thrives in full sun or partial shade and is suitable for a variety of soil types including chalk, loam, and sand, provided the soil is well-drained. It is ideal for rock gardens, gravel gardens, alpine gardens, ground cover, and container planting, offering winter interest. Planting is best done after the last frost in fertile, well-drained soil, with propagation possible by seed, division, or basal cuttings.

About the genus

Arenaria is a genus of flowering plants, within the family Caryophyllaceae. Most species are annual or perennial herbaceous plants, though a small number are spiny subshrubs; many grow in tufts or mats.

Wikipedia contributors, "Arenaria (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Arenaria (plant)

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Arenaria

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Arenaria pungens size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Alpine Rockery

Habit

Matforming

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Rock garden, Gravel garden, Ground cover, Alpine garden, Container planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Arenaria pungens

Propagation

Seed, Division, Basal cuttings

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions