perennialN. America Native

Alpine Rock Cress

The Story

Plant Bio

Arabis alpina is a low, mat-forming evergreen perennial subshrub native to cold, mountainous regions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It produces loose rosettes of gray-green, toothed foliage topped in spring by dense racemes of small, four-petaled white flowers.

The spreading stems root along gravelly surfaces to form a tight ground-covering mat suited for dry stone walls and rock gardens. Its early-season blooms provide an important nectar source for specialized native bees.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms a dense, silver-green evergreen mat that bursts into bright white flowers in early spring.

Stabilizes dry soil on rockery slopes and fills crevices in mortarless stone walls.

Provides early-season nectar for specialized native bees, including Andrena arabis.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

10"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America, Europe, Asia, Africa

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Late spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with gritty, gravelly, or calcareous soil that drains rapidly.
Amend neutral or heavy soils with crushed limestone and coarse grit to ensure proper alkalinity and porosity.
Set plants into the ground at the same depth as their nursery pots, firming gritty soil around the root crown.
Water lightly to settle the soil, then allow the substrate to dry out between subsequent waterings.

Pro Tip

Plant in lean, sharply draining alkaline substrate and shear the foliage back hard immediately after flowering to maintain a compact habit and prevent legginess.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune back hard after flowering finishes in late spring.
Provide gritty, well-drained, lime-rich soil.
Ensure excellent air circulation around the crown.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy clay or waterlogged soil.
Do not apply high-nitrogen organic fertilizers.
Do not disturb established root crowns once settled.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Pest Check
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock GardenGroundcoverBorder EdgingRetaining Wall Crevice

Companion Plants

Phlox subulata Aubrieta deltoidea Iberis sempervirens Saxifraga oppositifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Alpine Rock Cress questions

What zones can Alpine Rock Cress grow in?

Alpine Rock Cress is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Alpine Rock Cress deer resistant?

Yes — Alpine Rock Cress is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Alpine Rock Cress bloom?

Alpine Rock Cress typically blooms in spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Alpine Rock Cress need full sun?

Alpine Rock Cress does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Alpine Rock Cress drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Alpine Rock Cress handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.