Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Snowflake Candytuft: An Evergreen Spring Carpet Before Lavender
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Snowflake candytuft is an evergreen perennial that, in mid to late spring, all but disappears under large, rounded clusters of small, pure white, four-petaled flowers. The rest of the year it is a tidy, dense cushion of narrow, glossy, dark green leaves that stays green right through winter.
It is grown from cuttings, so plants are consistent in height and habit, which is exactly what you want in an edging. It also holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Snowflake at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Iberis sempervirens 'Snowflake' |
| Flowers | Pure white, in large rounded clusters |
| Foliage | Glossy dark green, evergreen |
| Size | 8 to 10 inches tall, 12 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late April, peaks mid-May |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Good for pollinators; moderately deer resistant |
The spring opener for a lavender bed
Lavender beds can look a bit bare in April and May while the plants wake up and before any spikes appear. Snowflake fills that gap. It blooms weeks before lavender, laying a low drift of white along the bed edge, and then settles into a dark green evergreen mat that frames the lavender's silver foliage all summer and through winter.
It shares lavender's need for sun and sharp drainage, and it handles drought once established. Plant it along the front edge, in wall crevices, along walkways or as a small-scale groundcover on a sunny slope. Because it spreads up to two feet, keep it a short distance from lavender crowns so the lavender's base stays open to air. Map the bed in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care through the year
- Spring: enjoy the bloom from late April into May, then shear stems back by about a third once flowers fade.
- Summer: water only in long dry spells once established. Foliage can look tired in hot, humid weather.
- Humidity: dense mats can rot or get leaf spot in humid, wet weather. Good drainage and airflow keep them healthy.
- Winter: evergreen and hardy to zone 3. On exposed sites without snow cover, the foliage can burn in late winter; a light cover of evergreen boughs helps.
- Early spring: trim any winter-browned tips.
Edging, walls and containers
Snowflake's even habit makes it a reliable edging where you want a clean line, and its woody-based stems spill nicely over the top of a low wall. In containers it pairs well with spring bulbs early in the season. The flowers are only fair for cutting, so think of it as a garden plant.
Bare root format
Snowflake is offered as a bare root plant. Plant it in spring with the crown at soil level in well-drained ground and water it in well. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is candytuft evergreen in Michigan?
Yes. The leaves stay green through winter, though exposed plants without snow cover may show some browned tips in late winter.
Does it bloom with lavender?
No, it blooms earlier, in late April and May. That is the point: it gives the bed color before lavender takes over.
Why shear it after bloom?
Shearing by about a third keeps the mat dense and tidy and prevents it from getting leggy and open.
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