How to Care for Candytuft Plants
Candytuft is an evergreen, low-growing plant that is good for borders, edgings and ground cover. It is part of the mustard family and grows in a mound of 1-inch-long, narrow, lance-shaped green leaves that are glossy. The pure white flowers are small with four petals -- the bottom two are much longer and resemble bunny ears. The flowers grow and cover the foliage like a cloud in spring in cold climates and winter in warm climates. The plant grows 10 inches tall and about 2 feet wide at maturity. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check with a soil test kit in an area with well-drained soil in full sun. The plant requires a neutral pH, so dig in equal amounts sand and compost to the soil to neutralize it.
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Purchase plants from the nursery center in spring and plant in the garden after danger of frost is over. Plant in warm climates during the fall for winter bloom. Dig a hole 2 inches wider and as deep as the root ball. Place the plant in and backfill, securing it in the ground, and water well. Space plants at least 6 to 12 inches apart.
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Cut back blooms after they start to fade. Cut back half of the plant's total growth. This will prevent ugly seed pods from forming and set the plant up to bloom the next season. It may even flower a second time. This is the only time suitable to add a control-released fertilizer per package instructions.
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Cover candytuft in cold climates for the winter to prevent winter burn. Use evergreen boughs to cover and remove them in spring.
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Tips & Warnings
In order to keep plants from becoming woody and unproductive, divide them every three years in the spring or early fall. Candytuft grows slowly in hot climates during the winter. It will not bloom or grow when temperatures are hot. The flowers only bloom for about 10 weeks, but the greenery is very attractive in the garden all year.
Candytuft also comes in an annual type that is found in seed packets. The flowers are different colors, and it is also a cool weather plant just like its perennial cousin.
Too much nitrogen in the soil tends to make candy tuft tall and misshapen. Only fertilize after cutting and use low nitrogen fertilizer. Stems break easily so be careful when planting or transplanting. Also, be careful when raking leaves around the plants.
