How to Grow Globe Candytuft (Iberis Umbellata)

The ideal plant for edging flower beds or growing alongside a path, globe candytuft puts forth a froth of flowers atop attractive, low, deep green foliage for the better part of the summer. It goes by several other variations on its name, including hyacinth-flowered candytuft and rocket candytuft. No matter what you call it, it's also wonderful for rock gardens.

Bypass Pruners
Compost Makers
Hand Cultivators
Mulch
Plants
Seeds
Watering Cans

Instructions

- 1
  Check out your nursery for established seedlings. Globe candytuft is also somewhat easy to start from seed.
- 2
  Read the label carefully. Candytuft (Iberis) comes in both annual (grows one year) and perennial (returns year after year) types. Annual candytuft has the advantage of blooming for a longer period of the summer and costing less per plant.
- 3
  Plant seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your region's last frost date. Since candytuft doesn't like transplanting, start seeds in peat pots - those brown, biodegradeable pots that you plant in the ground right along with the seedlings.
- 4
  Plant seedlings outdoors after your last frost date, spacing 6 to 12 inches apart.
- 5
  Keep fairly well watered, allowing to dry out slightly between waterings since candytuft is slightly drought-resistant.
- 6
  Shear flowers off when they fade; the plants may well bloom again, either later in the spring or again in the autumn. (A cool-season annual, globe candytuft starts to fade once temperatures regularly reach 80 degrees.)
- 7
  Pull up plants and discard if the foliage starts to brown severely in summer; otherwise, wait until frost kills the plants and then pull up.

How to Grow Godetia (Clarkia Amoena)

How to Grow Dwarf Morning Glory (Convolvulus Tricolor)

Growing Annuals