Overview

Lepidium nanum is a clump forming, columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Lepidium, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Lepidium nanum grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.

About

Lepidium nanum, the dwarf pepperweed, is a plant species native to the US states of Nevada and Utah. It is known from four counties in Nevada (Nye, Elko, White Pine and Eureka) but only one in Utah (Tooele County). It occurs in open, sunlit areas in the desert, often with gypsum, limestone, quartzite or chalky soils. Lepidium nanum is a perennial herb with a woody caudex, forming mound-shaped mats on the surface of the ground. In the garden it prefers full sun and loam soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and wall side borders. It tolerates neutral soils, well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lepidium nanum

About the genus

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. It includes familiar species such as garden cress, maca, and dittander.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lepidium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lepidium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Lepidium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Lepidium nanum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming, Columnar upright

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lepidium nanum

Propagation

Pencil thick basal softwood cuttings in early spring

Pest resistance

Aphids, Earwigs, Delphinium leaf miner, Delphinium moth caterpillars, Slugs, Snails, Caterpillars

Disease resistance

Powdery mildews, Delphinium black blotch, Crown rot, Viruses

Frequently asked questions