About
Draba longisiliqua, the long-podded whitlow grass, is a cushion-forming, evergreen perennial reaching 8 cm tall with dense rosettes of grey-hairy, obovate leaves and bright-yellow flowers 10 mm across borne in short racemes on slender stems just above the foliage. A neat and ornamental alpine plant for a sunny, very well-drained rock garden, trough or alpine house.
About the genus
Draba, the whitlow grasses, are mat-forming, rosette or cushion-forming annuals and perennials in the cabbage family (Brassicaceae), producing tight rosettes of small leaves and short racemes of small, four-petalled, white or yellow flowers in spring. Popular and easy-care rock garden and alpine plants for sunny, very well-drained positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Rock garden, Gravel garden
Native toCaucasus
Care notes
CultivationGrow in gritty, moist but very well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet and water carefully to avoid wetting the foliage. Usually grown in rock garden or scree, or in pots in an alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in an open frame in autumn; they need exposure to cold to germinate. Propagate by rooting rosettes in late spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free