Appearance
As an ornamental plant it is a spring-blooming favourite, often seen cascading over rocks and walls, or used as groundcover. The glossy, evergreen foliage forms a billowing mound, with many fragrant, pure white flowers for several weeks during spring and early summer. When grown in a garden it may require light pruning right after blooming, but otherwise plants can be left alone in fall and early spring. It is drought-tolerant once established. It prefers a well-drained site, so heavy clay soils that stay wet in winter should be avoided. It is not easily divided. "Iberis sempervirens" survives in USDA hardiness zones 3-9. It is hardy in most parts of the UK, surviving temperatures down to −15 °C. Vernalization is required for flower initiation. At least 8–10 weeks are needed at an average temperature of 5 °C.
Naming
"Iberis" is so named because many members of the genus come from the Iberian Peninsula in south west Europe. "Sempervirens" means "always green", referring to the evergreen foliage.References:
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