Arabis caucasica Snowball – Graceful White Stonecrop

The Arabis caucasica Snowball, also known as white rocket, is a perennial groundcover known for its beautiful, snow-white flowers. This compact and hardy plant is ideal for rock gardens, curbs, patios, and borders, thanks to its sprawling growth and long flowering period from April to June.

The bright white flowers of the Arabis caucasica Snowball form a lush carpet that adds a fresh and elegant touch to any garden. Its low, ground-covering habit makes it perfect for filling open spaces between stones or other low-growing plants, creating a natural and harmonious effect.

Origin and characteristics

Arabis caucasica, also known as Caucasian rocket, is a perennial native to the Caucasus region known for its fast-growing, hardy characteristics. The Snowball cultivar was selected for its intense white flowers, compact rosette-shaped growth, and long-lasting blooms, making it a valuable addition to flowering rock gardens and ornamental gravel gardens.

Characteristics of Arabis caucasica Snowball:

• Flower color: bright white

• Height: 15–20 cm, compact and spreading growth

• Flowering period: April – June

• Leaf: green, rosette-shaped, ground-covering

• Uses: rock gardens, borders, kerbs, patio boxes

The Arabis caucasica Snowball is also suitable as a cut flower for small bouquets or decorative table decorations.

Location and care

The Arabis caucasica Snowball grows best in a sunny to lightly shaded spot with well-drained, light soil. It's low-maintenance and winter-hardy, so it returns annually with abundant blooms.

Growing and care tips:

• Sowing/Planting out: Can be sown indoors or directly in the garden after the last frost.

• Planting distance: 20–25 cm for optimal ground coverage

• Soil: well-drained, slightly calcareous or neutral

• Water: moderate; tolerates dry conditions well

• Pruning: Removing faded flowers promotes a second flowering and compact growth.

Thanks to its fast-growing and hardy properties, this Arabis is a reliable perennial ground cover for any garden.

Use in garden and balcony

Arabis caucasica Snowball is versatile in use:

• Rock gardens: ideal for filling cracks and open spaces

• Borders: adds a layer of fresh white flowers to taller plants

• Curbs and patios: compact, sprawling growth gives a neat effect

• Patio boxes and pots: suitable for raised planting and combinations with other low plants

Thanks to its bright white flowers, this stonecrop creates a fresh, elegant and harmonious effect whether used as a solitary plant or planted in groups.

Bee-friendly and sustainable

The Arabis caucasica Snowball attracts bees and other pollinators and contributes to a healthy and biodiverse garden. It's also low-maintenance and winter-hardy, making it a sustainable choice for any gardener looking for groundcover plants with long-lasting blooms.

Summary

Conclusion

The Arabis caucasica Snowball is a beautiful, white groundcover perennial that adds elegance and color to rock gardens, borders, and patios. Its compact growth, hardiness, and long-lasting blooms make this snowball an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a low-maintenance and aesthetically pleasing garden.