Red Carpet

Cultivation Break

Season Overview

Description

A magnificent display of color fills the garden when it unfolds in all its glory. Although small in stature, this perennial produces an abundance of countless deep purple flowers. Aubrieta x cultorum 'Red Carpet' is between eight and ten centimeters tall, grows in clumps and forms a beautiful carpet. It forms beautiful cushions from which delicate, light green to green shoots stretch upwards. The thin, hairy stems that this Aubrieta tirelessly pushes out appear delicate. The small leaves are light to gray-green in color. They are arranged alternately and are undivided. They appear hairy and give the impression of being fragile. The evergreen leaves are notched and reveal a fascinating vitality. The flowering period begins as early as April, and the 'Red Carpet' rock cress produces a multitude of buds. Bowl-shaped and slightly hairy, they open continuously until the end of the flowering period in May, producing individual, four-petaled, deep purple flowers. After this lush flowering period, small pods develop. Aubrieta x cultorum 'Red Carpet' is a cultivated variety and loves warm spots in the garden. It thrives in full sun. It makes wonderful compositions with cushion phlox, alyssum, or ribbon flower. Low bearded iris, goose cress, and spurge are also exceptionally beautiful companions.

Growing tips

🌿 Sowing - Pre-cultivation: from February - early March, very bright, cool - Light germinator: Press seeds lightly, barely cover - Substrate: lean, sandy growing medium - Germination temperature: 15-18 °C, slightly moist soil - Germination time: 2-3 weeks - Prick out after two to three true leaves - Direct sowing: April to May, in full sun, dry, well-drained soil - Keep slightly moist until germination 🌸 Planting time Best time: Spring or early fall. Planting distance: 25-30 cm ☀️ Location Blue cushion originates from rocky, dry areas. It therefore needs a full sun, warm location. Partial shade leads to loose, weak growth and fewer flowers. 🌱 Soil The soil should be lean, sandy-gravely and very well drained. A slightly alkaline pH value (lime tolerant) is ideal. The soil should be slightly dry to fresh. If the soil is too heavy, mix in plenty of sand, grit or fine gravel. Suitable are: - Rock garden - Dry stone wall joints - Gravel beds - Roof greening 💧 Watering Blue cushion is extremely drought tolerant. It is important to water little, only during longer dry periods or when planting new plants. Waterlogging quickly leads to root rot. 🍽️ Fertilizing Blue cushion needs almost no fertilizer. A very small amount of organic fertilizer or some compost once in spring is all that is needed. Too much fertilizer → stunted growth, fewer flowers, greater susceptibility to disease. ✂️ Pruning After flowering (April/May), cut back vigorously, about a third. This keeps the cushions compact and promotes abundant flowering the following year. ❄️ Winter Blue cushion is hardy. Only ensure good drainage in very wet winters. ✅ Good neighbors - Rock garden perennials such as cushion phlox, stonecrop, thyme, sedum, houseleek, Low grasses, small feather grasses - Plants for dry, sunny locations, such as lavender, ribbon flower, sunflower - Cushion-forming species that have similar soil requirements and are not overgrown - Dwarf juniper, dwarf pine, dwarf broom, rock pear ❌ Bad neighbors - Highly consumptive plants such as delphiniums, phlox, lupins - Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchinis, pumpkins - Cabbage (cauliflower, savoy cabbage, red cabbage) - Root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, beet) - Onions, garlic, chives, wild garlic - Moisture-loving species such as astilbe, funkia, ferns, purple bells - Salads, rocket, spinach, chard - Highly proliferating ground cover plants such as ivy or goutweed, which would crowd out blue cushions - Hydrangea, rhododendron, weigelie, spirea, snowball, forsythia - Berry bushes, fruit trees 🦠 Diseases - Root rot - mildew - Gray mold 🐛 Pests - Aphids - Earth fleas - snails

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Light germinator

Germination temperature

15 - 18 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

25 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

0.2 cm