{"id":6513,"date":"2026-03-12T11:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/learn-how-to-grow-candytuft-iberis\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T11:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:58:18","slug":"learn-how-to-grow-candytuft-iberis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/12\/learn-how-to-grow-candytuft-iberis\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn How to Grow Candytuft (Iberis)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Fertilizer<\/h3>\n

Candytufts are average feeders that require little additional fertilization when grown in moderately rich soil.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Perennials benefit from a one- to two-inch top dressing of compost, leafmold, manure, or worm castings in early spring.<\/p>\n

Work it in gently over the root zone with a hand cultivator or hori hori<\/a><\/strong> garden knife.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, feed perennials with a balanced or flower boosting fertilizer, using either a liquid or slow release application in early spring and again after flowering.<\/p>\n

Balanced feeds have formulas with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash, such as 5-5-5 NPK.<\/p>\n

I like to use Burpee\u2019s Enhanced All Purpose fertilizer.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Burpee Enhanced All Purpose Plant Food<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can find it available at Burpee<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Flower boosting formulas are slightly higher in phosphorus, like 4-6-2 NPK.<\/p>\n

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Down to Earth All Purpose Mix<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Down to Earth has a good product that you can find available at Arbico Organics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Annuals can be fed in spring with the same balanced or flower boosting formulas about one month after planting and again in midsummer.<\/p>\n

Cultivars to Select<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s have a look at some popular perennial rootstock and annual seed options.<\/p>\n

Alexander\u2019s White<\/h3>\n

Growing only six-to-eight inches tall, \u2018Alexander\u2019s White\u2019 (I. sempervirens<\/em>) is a charming, carpet-forming variety that\u2019s covered in masses of scented white flower clusters all spring.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018Alexander\u2019s White\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hardy in Zones 3 to 8, plants in one-gallon containers are available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Forte<\/h3>\n

A showstopper with improved vigor and a long flowering time, Snowsurfer\u2122 \u2018Forte\u2019 (I. sempervirens<\/em>) features a dense display of fragrant white flowers that start blooming in early spring and last for weeks.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Snowsurfer\u2122 \u2018Forte\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hardy in Zones 4 to 9, plants in one-gallon containers are available at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rose Cardinal<\/h3>\n

Pretty and fragrant, the heirloom cultivar \u2018Rose Cardinal\u2019 (I. umbellata<\/em>) is grown as an annual that gives clouds of rosy mauve flowers throughout the summer for an alluring groundcover or container plant.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018Rose Cardinal\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Packets of seeds in a variety of sizes are available at Eden Brothers<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Maintenance<\/h2>\n

In fall after annuals have stopped flowering or been killed by frost, remove the plants from beds and containers and dispose of or toss them in the compost.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Perennials benefit from a light pruning in fall to maintain a compact habit and to encourage branching for more flowers.<\/p>\n

Use clean, sharp shears to cut back plants by as much as one third.<\/p>\n

If your garden is in the colder end of their hardiness range, Zones 3 and 4, an airy covering of evergreen boughs, burlap, or floating row cover fabric<\/a><\/strong> offers easy protection from desiccation if the snow cover is inadequate.<\/p>\n

Propagation<\/h2>\n

Candytuft is easily propagated by division in spring or fall, stem cuttings in summer, and seeds in spring.<\/p>\n

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  1. To divide perennials<\/a><\/strong>, in spring or fall dig out plants in one piece.<\/li>\n
  2. Use a clean, sharp spade to divide the rootball into equal pieces.<\/li>\n
  3. Replant one section back into the original site and distribute the others as desired, planting into prepared, well-draining soil.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Stem cuttings from perennial plants are best taken in early to midsummer after flowering has finished.<\/p>\n

    \"A\"A<\/figure>\n
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    1. Use clean, sharp shears to take three-to-five-inch cuttings from healthy, nonflowering stems.<\/li>\n
    2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of stems.<\/li>\n
    3. Dip the stripped end into a rooting hormone if desired.<\/li>\n
    4. Insert stems into cells or small pots filled with a moistened sterile starter soil mix.<\/li>\n
    5. Place in a location with bright, indirect light.<\/li>\n
    6. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots form in three to four weeks.<\/li>\n
    7. Plant out when the temperatures cool at the end of summer or early fall.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If you collect your own seeds, use stock from species plants only \u2013 seed from cultivated varieties typically don\u2019t grow true to the parent plant.<\/p>\n

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      1. Seeds can be direct sown after your last frost date.<\/li>\n
      2. Sow seeds a quarter of an inch deep into prepared soil in a sunny, well-draining location.<\/li>\n
      3. Water lightly and ensure the soil surface stays lightly moist for the best germination, which takes place in 10 to 20 days.<\/li>\n
      4. Maintain lightly moist soil for the seedlings and when they have four to six leaves, thin to six to 12 inches between plants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        You can also use the thinned seedlings to transplant into other locations.<\/p>\n

        Pests and Disease<\/h2>\n

        Candytuft is mostly an easy-care plant, but there are a few issues to watch for.<\/p>\n

        Caterpillars, slugs, and snails<\/a><\/strong> are the primary pests and these can be hand-picked and disposed of.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n