Schneeflocke White

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Order

Brassicales

Genus

Iberis

Species

sempervirens

Description

Perennial appreciated for its compact and globular habit as well as for its luxuriant flowering and the persistence of its leaves even during the coldest period. Its small size makes it suitable for planters but also for flowerbeds, creating pure homogeneous groups from whose foliage dense inflorescences emerge giving luminosity and elegance; also ideal in compositions with other ornamental species.

Varietal description

Perennial with copious white flowers in late winter. It is used in planters or tubs where it re-blooms every year, at a time when there are few flowering, hardy and cold-hardy alternatives on the balcony. Cultivation begins in late summer and is carried out in a cold greenhouse in pots of ø 10 to 15 cm. After a vernalization period of 10 weeks, it naturally comes into flower after a month, or earlier if it is forced at 10-12°c. On the balcony, it spends the winter without shedding its leaves.

curiosity and special features

The name of the botanical genus Iberis, classified by Linnaeus in 1753, derives from Iberia in reference to the Iberian Peninsula, the territorial area of origin and diffusion; the specific epithet, sempervirens, derives from semper meaning always and from virens meaning verdant in relation to the evergreen foliage.

Origin and Diffusion

Native species of the range extending from the Pyrenees to Turkey, and north-west Africa.

Flower size

The flower individually is small, grouped together with others in the inflorescence.

Leaf

Leaf has a linear, lanceolate lamina.

Flowering period

from late winter to mid-spring for a duration of 70 to 100 days; abundant and elegant, it will add a distinctive touch to your outdoor spaces.

Inflorescence

Umbrella inflorescence, refined and bearing several flowers.

Leaf color

homogeneous, solid-coloured, in perfect colour harmony with the shade of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.35 m, making it ideal for creating homogeneous groups in purity as well as in composition with other ornamentals.

Lifespan

Polyennial evergreen plant.

Suggested planting locations

Because of its size, white flowering and persistent foliage, it is suitable for adding ornamental value to balconies, planters and flowerbeds.

Stem/stem

Herbaceous, semi-woody plant; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a gamopetalous corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium to small umbel inflorescences. It flowers from late winter to mid-spring, with a flowering period of between 70 and 100 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth.

Plant habit

It develops a globular habitus making it suitable for creating proportionate compact groups but also in Composition with other ornamentals.

branching

It develops abundant branching, creating dense and proportionate overall results.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring, carry out light digging and remove any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones; if the soil is too heavy and compact, bury sand evenly. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing harmful water stagnation, carry out light ballasting to form a raised bed, then carefully level the surface.

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sun exposure

Suitable for different types of exposure such as half shade, bright shade, full sun. In summer it is preferable to place it in sunny sites only during the morning and in shade during the hottest hours.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 14 and 20 °C. The vital temperature is between -10 and 36 °C. It prefers a cool climate and requires a period of 1.5 to 2 months in the cold, even below zero, to induce flowering.

Use

Appreciated for its evergreen foliage and luxuriant flowering in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium-high hardiness, resistant to cold.

Soil/medium

For proper root development, the soil must be light and with adequate drainage capacity. In planters and pots, use a well-draining spring plant soil containing peat and perlite.

Maintenance

easy to cultivate, requires a low level of maintenance effort and assumes further value in use.

cultivation tips

Here are specific cultivation measures for better vegetative development and copious flowering:

In summer it is preferable to place the plants in sunny sites only in the morning or in shade during the hottest hours. Prefers slightly calcareous water Prefers cool climate Requires low night temperatures to flower

Composition

It is also suitable in mixed compositions with other ornamental species of different heights in order to create perspective views; colour combinations can include shades of the same hue or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fantasy. We recommend use with Aubrieta deltoidea, Cheiranthus cheirii, Nepeta, Phlox subulata, Viola wittrockiana, Viola cornuta.

When planting, place each individual plant at the correct distance from the others, taking into account the size attained and the developed habit in order to obtain a proportionate overall result.

planting

Remove the seedling from the container without damaging the roots, ensuring that the root ball is not dry, and plant with the collar off the substrate or soil surface. Adopt a suitable planting pattern to ensure proper growth of each specimen, a density of 18 plants per square metre is recommended.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, alternatively pH-neutral tap water. Keep the Soil or medium slightly wet, preventing waterlogging and subsequent root rot. During the cold months irrigation should be suspended or kept to a minimum if the plant does not get rain. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant directly, particularly during the late afternoon or evening.

Fertilization

It requires little fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, after a proper settling after planting (after three to four weeks on average), apply an ornamental plant fertiliser to the soil or medium in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the doses and frequency. During the cold months, stop fertilising.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

advise 1

A perennial plant that needs little care, little water, little fertiliser, a cut after flowering and a period of 1.5-2 months in the cold, even below zero, to induce flowering. During the cold months do not fertilise and be careful with Irrigation, which should be suspended or kept to a minimum if the plant does not take rain water.