“Candytuft” can mean several Iberis species. Annual candytuft, such as Iberis amara or Iberis umbellata, is grown from seed for summer colour. Evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a low perennial. Check the botanical name so you know which one you have.
- Give candytuft full sun and freely draining soil. Established perennial plants tolerate dry spells better than new seedlings.
- Annual candytuft can be started indoors about nine weeks before the usual final frost or direct-sown according to the packet.
- Spacing and height vary widely among annual and perennial cultivars, so packet directions are more reliable than one fixed measurement.
- Annual seed may be saved if the variety is open-pollinated. Perennial candytuft can be trimmed lightly after flowering and propagated by cuttings.
- The small flower clusters can feed visiting insects.
Candytuft belongs to the cabbage family, but that does not make an unidentified garden plant food or medicine. Enjoy this one with your eyes and with a camera.