How to Grow Globe Candytuft (Iberis Umbellata)

The ideal plant for edging flower beds or growing alongside a path, globe candytuft puts forth a froth of flowers atop attractive, low, deep green foliage for the better part of the summer. It goes by several other variations on its name, including hyacinth-flowered candytuft and rocket candytuft. No matter what you call it, it's also wonderful for rock gardens.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Hand Cultivators
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds
• Watering Cans
• Seeds
• Plants

1. Check out your nursery for established seedlings. Globe candytuft is also somewhat easy to start from seed.

2. Read the label carefully. Candytuft (Iberis) comes in both annual (grows one year) and perennial (returns year after year) types. Annual candytuft has the advantage of blooming for a longer period of the summer and costing less per plant.

3. Plant seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your region's last frost date. Since candytuft doesn't like transplanting, start seeds in peat pots - those brown, biodegradeable pots that you plant in the ground right along with the seedlings.

4. Plant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date, spacing 6 to 12 inches apart.

5. Keep fairly well watered, allowing to dry out slightly between waterings since candytuft is slightly drought-resistant.

6. Shear flowers off when they fade; the plants may well bloom again, either later in the spring or again in the autumn. (A cool-season annual, globe candytuft starts to fade once temperatures regularly reach 80 degrees.)

7. Pull up plants and discard if the foliage starts to brown severely in summer; otherwise, wait until frost kills the plants and then pull up.

Tips & Warnings

• Globe candytuft needs average, well-drained soil and full sun with some afternoon shade where summers are hot.
• In zones 8-10 of the U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Map, try sowing globe candytuft a second time in late summer for autumn and early winter bloom.
• Make sure candytuft has good drainage. Soggy conditions promote disease.