Aubrieta Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

In this Gardener's HQ growing guide, we'll explore cultivating Aubrieta plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Purple Rock Cress: Cultivation & Garden Use

Aubrieta plants are hardy perennial alpine plants. They are low growing and mat forming therefore making them great rockery, cover, and edging plants.

They bloom with purple or blue flowers in the spring.

Aubrieta by Color Line.

There are 20 known species in this genus and common names for Aubrieta include Purple rock cress, and false rock cress. Plants of the Aubrieta genus are native to Europe.

Blue Rock Cress photograph by Dendroica.

Aubrieta Species

Some of the more commonly grown garden species of the Aubrieta plant genus include the following:

Aubrieta deltoidea Purple Rock Cress

Also knowna as Purple rock cress, Rainbow rock cress, and Lilacbush

Purple Rock Cress at Belgium National garden by 阿橋 HQ, CC.

US Growing zones 4 to 8; UK zones H6 – Hardy

This small perennial plant is a vigorous grower that makes great ground cover. It is a sun lover that is naturally native to the South east of Europe.

Plants reach about 10 to 22 cm in height (4 to 9 inches) and have a bushy habot with a spread of 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches).

Aubrieta deltoidea blooms from the middle of spring through to early summer. The flowers have four lilac to purple petals. Leaves are grey to green, and oval with a spoon-like appearance.

In addition to its use as ground cover it also makes a nice plant to grow in a rock garden, wall crevices, and at the front of a garden border.

Ideal companion plants include bulbs such as Narcissus and Tulips

Ideally grow in a well-drained soil that is sandy and rocky. It will grow in light and partial shade but best results will be obtained when it is grown in full sun.

It is a good plant to grow to attract wildlife to the garden. It is also both drought tolerant and a very deer resistant plant.

Aubrieta gracilis

Aubrieta gracilis, or Rock Cress, is a low-growing perennial with cascading mats of purple, pink, and blue flowers. Ideal for rock gardens and slopes, it thrives in well-drained soil.

Aubrieta gracilis (Dwarf Rock Cress), photograph by Alice Rosen; CC.

Aubrieta gracilis is less commonly grown in gardens compared to other Aubrieta species, but some gardeners may still choose to grow it for its unique attributes.

Blooming in early spring, it attracts pollinators and adds vibrant color to challenging garden areas. This hardy plant's compact growth and tolerance for dry conditions make it a stunning choice for landscapes.

Commonly Grown Aubrieta / Rock Cress Cultivars

Aubrieta cultorum X Aubrieta deltoidea

"Rokey's Purple" Aubrieta: Purple flowers. Blanket. US Zones 5 to 7.

photograph by Babij, CC.

Aubrieta x cultorum, the Aubrieta hybrid, is a perennial. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 inches (7-15 cm). Plants feature small, oval leaves and clusters of small, typically purple flowers.

This plant prefers a location with full sun and a well-drained soil. It is perfect for rock gardens, walls, or as ground cover due to its sprawling habit.

Aubrieta cascade Purple

Aubrieta cascade (Purple aubrieta cascade), picture by Garry Knight; CC.

Other Common Aubrieta Cultivars

Aubrieta 'Red Carpet': 10 cm (4 inches) tall. Wide Spreading. Blooms in spring with purple to red flowers. Evergreen leaves are grey-green.

'Carnival': Larger cultivar to 6 inches (15 cm) in height. Large purple flowers.

'Aurea Variegata': Violet blue flowers, Variegated leaves of gold and green, 10 cm (4 inches) tall.

'Variegata ': Flowers may be pink, white, purple, or violet. Leaves have cream colored margins. 10 cm (4 inches) tall

'Campbelliil': Double flowers, pink to purple flowers, 6 inches (15 cm) tall.

How to Grow Aubrieta

When planting Aubrieta outdoors it is best to sow out the seeds on the surface in the early spring or late in the autumn.

If preparing for growing indoors first, then they should be prepared about 7 weeks before they are due to be put out, after the last frost of spring.

Germination takes around two to three weeks in the light, and at a temperature of 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F).

Young Purple rock cress seedlings (and other Aubrieta species) can be easily damaged by water, so it is therefore essential that they are only watered from below.

The seedlings of Aubrieta should be planted out in spring in a sunny rockery. The spacing should be about 30 cm (12 inches). Soil should be well drained and an ideal pH is around 6 to 7.5.

Aubrieta Care

Aubrieta Rock Cress plants are generally easy to look after. They will need to be dead headed following flowering to prevent seed setting and to stop the plant from taking over the garden.

Common Questions

How many members does the Aubrieta genus have?

The Aubrieta genus contains about 12 species. They're known for their brightly colored spring blooms and are often used in rock gardens.

Do members of Aubrieta make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Aubrieta is an excellent ground cover plant that brings vibrant color to the garden in early spring. It's especially beautiful cascading over rocks or walls.

Which Aubrieta species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Aubrieta deltoidea, or purple rock cress, is a popular species thanks to its profuse, vibrant purple flowers that brighten up the garden in spring.

Are members of the Aubrieta plant genus fragrant?

Aubrieta species are not typically known for being fragrant. They are more prized for their vibrant blooms and ground covering ability.

What is the perfect location to grow Aubrieta?

Aubrieta loves sunny locations with well-drained soil. It is ideal for rock gardens, slopes, or trailing over walls.

Is Aubrieta invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Aubrieta is not typically considered invasive in the USA. These plants are generally well-behaved in a garden setting.

How do I remove Aubrieta plants from my garden?

To remove Aubrieta, prune the plant back heavily or pull it up. Make sure to remove all plant parts to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Aubrieta genus, also known as Aubretia or rock cress, belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It comprises about 12 species of perennial plants native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. Known for their mat-forming growth habit, these plants produce a profusion of small, four-petaled flowers in shades of violet, pink, or white in early spring.

Aubrietas are sun-loving plants that prefer well-drained soil. Given their native alpine habitat, they are well-suited to rock gardens, slopes, or as ground cover cascading over walls. They are drought-resistant and can tolerate poor soils. To maintain their compact growth, they should be pruned back hard after flowering.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Aubrieta plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: Growing Violet Cress, Malcolmia, and Cheiranthus plants.