Rock Cress or Aubrieta, often called Aubretia is an evergreen, mat-forming, low-growing perennial, that only grow 15 cm in height, good for rock gardens, stone patios or between stepping stones or for hills and slopes, where is it difficult to grow grass or other plants.
Aubrieta makes a colorful splash in early spring, producing a profusion of fragrant flowers, almost covering the plant's dense mat of leaves. Cultivars of Aubrieta can have white, pink, magenta, lilac or crimson flowers and some of them can even have semi-double flowers or variegated leaves.
Aubrieta is an easy to grow plant. Plant Aubrieta in a place with full sun, even it might tolerate a light or partial shade. It will grow well in fair to poor soils as long as they are well draining. Keep the area around Aubrieta well-drained by adding a light layer of gravel on top of the soil. Water the plants only during the hottest, driest period of summer. Do not overwater the plants, especially during autumn and winter. After flowering is finished, cut back the plants to shape them or to keep them compact. This also helps to keep the plants looking tidy.
Aubrieta is propagated mainly from seeds. Sow seeds directly into the flower garden or indoors for transplanting outside later in the season. Sow Aubrieta seeds early in the season and cover lightly with fine garden or potting soil. Keep the soil moist during germination. Plants will bloom in the spring of the second year after planting. Established plants can be propagated by division in autumn. You can also try to root softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in mid summer.
