This showy, sprawling evergreen perennial is native to crevices of limestone rocks, along streams and in calcareous alpine meadows of Europe. It has naturalized in Canada and parts of the northern U.S. Ideal conditions for growth include a location with full sun and gritty, alkaline, well-drained soil. Once planted, it is advisable to let the plant remain in that spot as it does not like its roots disturbed. The sweet-scented flowers are typically white, however, varieties pink or rose. Cut back foliage after bloom to promote denser growth habit. This will also encourage healthier foliage growth. Failure to cut back can lead to long, bare branches with foliage only appearing at the ends, and will also limit the spread of its rhizomes. The leaves are edible, primarily used as a garnish. Wildlife Value: Members of the Arabis genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Scaphandrena) arabis. This plant is deer and rabbit resistant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Aphids are an occasional issue. Root rot, white rust, and downy mildew may occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils. Plants tend to suffer in summer heat south of Zone 6.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Obovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Dentate; Denticulate; Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
This plant has loose spreading rosettes of 2-inch long toothed, obovate, gray-green basal leaves. The foliage is very attractive cascading over walls or in a rock garden and makes an effective groundcover.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
This plant has tiny, 4-petaled, 1/2" long white flowers bloom in spring. The blooms make excellent cut flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit detail
The seed pods will dry on the plant. Once dried, they can be opened to collect the seeds.
Stem detail
Multi-stemmed and erect.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean, Crimea, Turkey, Iran, Causcus
Wildlife value
Members of the Arabis genus support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Scaphandrena) arabis. This plant is deer resistant. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers.