Arlene Marturano

Arlene Marturano is a master gardener, writer, and educator. As an advocate of gardening as a tool for learning, she helped develop the Carolina Children's Garden at the Sandhill Research and Education Center. She is an education consultant with T.E.A.C.H. marturano@yahoo.com What is old is new again, in fashion and in plants. This spring, garden centers are featuring an old- fashioned evergreen perennial, candytuft, Iberis sempervirens. Candytuft is a low growing subshrub used in rock gardens, containers, a groundcover, or miniature hedge to enclose annuals. The height is 6- 12 inches and the spread reaches 1- 2 feet.

A sun worshipper, candytuft prefers most well- drained soils. Dense, rounded heads of fragrant white flowers resembling bridal wreath spirea, arabis, and alyssum blossom from March to May usually in concert with creeping phlox, petite dianthus, and thrift.

The plant is an excellent addition to an all white or moonlight garden. Popular varieties include summer snow, snowflake, and purity. Deadheading and cutting back foliage after blooming maintains its appearance. The narrow dark glossy foliage is handsome year- round. Many gardeners choose to underplant roses with this evergreen mat.

To increase plants, take cuttings in midsummer, dip cuttings in rooting hormone, and place in a sterile soilless potting mix. Transplant in the fall. Mulch candytuft over the winter to prevent damage from fluctuating temperatures.

Compact candytuft is a drought tolerant, hardy, pest free, and a well- behaved addition to the southern garden. Gardeners can grow an illusive carpet of snow this spring.