Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Iberis umbellata L.

Fully hardy, bushy, mound-forming annual with abundant, small, scented, white, lavender, purple, pink or crimson flowers in spring and summer.  To 30cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Candy-tuft is one of those annuals which contribute generally to enliven the borders of the flower garden: its usual colour is a pale purple, there is also a white variety of it, and another with deep but very bright purple flowers, the most desirable of the three, but where a garden is large enough to admit of it, all the varieties may be sown.’  [BM t.106/1790].  The varieties rubra and alba were recommended for use as bedding plants by The Gardeners Chronicle.  [Gard. Chron. 1852].  Introduced to Britain in 1596.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [H.115/1843].

Notes

Iberis umbellata Georgi (before 1802) = Iberis taurica DC.

Iberis umbellata Webb (before 1854) = Iberis contracta Pers.

Published Feb 07, 2009 - 01:42 PM | Last updated Jul 15, 2010 - 04:49 PM

The image shows lance-shaped leaves and compact umbels of pale pink flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.106, 1790.

Iberis umbellata L. | BM t.106/1790 | BHL

Family Brassicaceae
Category
Region of origin

Southern Europe

Synonyms
Common Name

Common candytuft

Name in the Camden Park Record

Iberis umbellata 

Confidence level high