March Shrub of the Month-Candytuft

I know what you’re saying-THAT’S A PERENNIAL-NOT A SHRUB!

Ahem…actually, the technical term is “Subshrub” and according to the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), candytuft, Iberis sempervirens, is considered a spreading evergreen “sub-shrub.” Missouri Botanical Garden, which, like other botanical gardens, uses RHS as a top reference for accepted names, etc, uses both terms to describe it in Plantfinder to avoid confusion.

“Okay, so what’s a sub-shrub?” Again, we consult the RHS, this time, the RHS Index of Garden Plants, which, in my MBG Plant Records days, was the Plant Bible. (So much so, that after leaving, I found my own used copy online to keep on my desk. Worth it for the glossary alone if you are a hard-core plant-geek.)

Subshrub 1. A very small but truly woody shrub; 2. A perennial herb with a woody base and partially soft stems.

So, back to the subshrub of the month. Candytuft, no matter how you categorize it, is one of the longest-blooming plants in my garden. The crisp white blooms appear in early spring and bloom off and on again throughout the whole season for me. A quick trim right after the first flush can aid this, but mine reblooms without it. Full, full, FULL sun is a must with well, well, WELL-draining soil.

Candytuft eventually spreads into a wider than tall 12” mound that will root where the stems touch soil, making it easy to divide. Even when not in flower, candytuft is a tidy, rounded evergreen to semi-evergreen form with great texture perfect for rock gardens, containers, or spilling over garden walls.

What I love about this plant;

-Long bloom period.

-Evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage looks good year-round.

-Great for white/moon gardens, containers, spilling over walls, ground cover, or rock gardens.

-Deer AND rabbit resistant. Even my chickens leave it alone.

What’s not so great;

-Full sun and well-draining soils are a MUST.

-Powdery mildew and other fungus-related issues can be common, especially in wetter areas.

-Winter protection can be beneficial in exposed areas.

-Although deer and rabbit resistant, candytuft is not pest-resistant when it comes to snails, slugs, and other creepy-crawlies. Keep your eyes open to avoid damage.

-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2026, All rights reserved.