Aubrieta vs Evergreen candytuft

Aubrieta and Evergreen candytuft are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, flowers, pollinator friendly, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Aubrieta

Aubrieta × cultorum 15 cm × 60 cm after 10 years

A low, evergreen, grey-green cushion plant for rock gardens that flowers so heavily in spring that the leaves almost disappear: good on top of…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 13

Evergreen candytuft

Iberis sempervirens 25 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A low, cushion-forming subshrub with dark green, leathery leaves, covered in spring by so many pure white flowers that the foliage almost…

Ground cover

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 24

Key differences

Evergreen candytuft grows taller, Aubrieta spreads wider: 25 cm × 45 cm and 15 cm × 60 cm after ten years.
Aubrieta needs less water than Evergreen candytuft.
Aubrieta is cheaper: about PLN 13 at the size usually planted, against about PLN 24 for Evergreen candytuft.

Which one to choose?

Aubrieta is the better choice if you cannot water regularly or price matters.

Watch out for

Aubrieta

In heavy, wet soil it rots off in winter and stays short-lived; without trimming, the centre of the cushion goes bare within a few years. Aphids and flea beetles can damage it, and white blister (a disease of the cabbage family) occasionally appears. Self-sown seedlings usually flower paler than the parent.

Evergreen candytuft

It has no serious pests or diseases. Most losses come from crown rot in wet, poorly drained soil, so on heavy ground plant it in a raised or gritty spot. In snowless, windy, sunny winters the evergreen foliage can scorch and thin out; a light cover of conifer branches helps. It can wilt in summer heat and long dry spells and is grateful for watering then. Slugs, snails and caterpillars may chew it.

The data side by side

Feature	Aubrieta	Evergreen candytuft
Group	Ground cover	Ground cover
Size after 10 years	15 cm × 60 cm	25 cm × 45 cm
Ultimate size	5–15 cm × 30–60 cm	15–30 cm × 15–45 cm
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Calcareous, Sandy, Average garden soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	April–June, purple, blue, pink, red, white	April–May, white
Water need	Low	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	30 cm	30 cm
For children	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	approx. PLN 13	approx. PLN 24

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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