Plant Database

Other Names:  Alpine Whitlow Grass

Description:

This is an alpine plant that requires a well drained rock garden, gravel scree, or alpine trough for success; from a small tuft of narrow green leaves emerge stems that hold clusters of bright yellow flowers; best increased by seeds or cuttings

Ornamental Features

Alpine Draba has clusters of yellow flowers at the ends of the stems in early spring, which are interesting on close inspection. Its grassy leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Alpine Draba is an open herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Alpine Draba is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Alpine Draba will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for sandy, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.