Not a native plant. It is from the Caucasas.
For years I had read this plant is a "must have" basic garden plant. Now I see why! It formed a thick patch of friendly looking fuzzy green-gray leaves that are swathed in blossoms in spring. It makes a great display.
Wyman says it is prized for the foliage, says it is hardy to Zone 3 and grows 6 to 10 inches tall.
Ours is planted in a raised bed in full sun in an exposed position. It has happily adapted to a life with no coddling. It is shorter than what the descriptions led me to expect. Maybe it could be about 6" but it seems more like 4". There is a compact variety in the trade but 'Snowcap" is not it as far as I know.
University of Michigan advises:
The Rock Cresses are good plants for the rock garden.
They grow 4 to 12 inches tall and need full sun. Any well
drained soil is suitable although sandy soil is preferred.
The plants may winter kill on heavy soil. Shear the plants
each year after flowering to encourage compactness and a
second bloom.
Rock Cress are propagated by seed, division and
cuttings. Softwood stem cuttings are taken and rooted in the
summer soon after the flowers fade. The plant is divided in
September or in spring. The seed may need stratification
and germinates in 20 to 25 days at 70 degrees. Light is
necessary for germination.
Arabis caucasica (albida)--Wall Cress
Grows 8 to 12 inches tall and has white flowers. Plant
10 to 12 inches apart.
Propagation is by division, cuttings or seed. Division
is done in late summer or spring. Seed is a slow method to
get new plants. The seed germinates in 3 to 4 weeks at 68
degrees.
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