I Fall For Aubrieta Every Time . . .

Aubrieta is one of about 12 species of flowering plants in the cabbage family and is named after Claude Aubriet who was a French botanical artist. It is a low, spreading hardy perennial, is drought tolerant and evergreen or semi, depending on the zone. It prefers light, well-drained soil, is tolerant of a wide pH range, and can grow in partial shade or full sun.

When it is blooming it puts on a spectacular show of small violet, pink blue, red or white flowers.

Here’s mine planted in the front bank.

The first time I ever saw Aubrieta was years ago while I was pumping gas. Across the street were the most brilliant colored flowers flowing out of a brick planter that lined the front of a house. After finishing with my gas I went over to find out what this could be. The nicest lady came to the door and told me it was called Aubrieta.

These aren’t from her house but some I took later.
She added that while it was so beautiful when it was blooming it wasn’t very attractive at all after it finished. And that, my good friends, is why I end up getting rid of it every time! Not very attractive? She was obviously being kind - it is just horrible looking. It looks like it took everything it had to put out these beautiful blooms and then just flat died.

I’ve learned to resist now and haven’t suckered for it in a couple of years. I just can’t get past the way it’s going to look all summer long in my front bank which is the first thing people see as they come around the corner to our house. I’ve since replaced it with Creeping Phlox, which I love, although it only blooms for about 5 minutes it is attractive before and after. I’ve also put in Campanula because it looks just as great and it also looks good after it’s done blooming.

I’m hoping my Campanula will look this good in the future to make up for the Aubrieta I took out.