Arabis alpina subsp. caucasica 'Variegata'

Popularly known as rock cress, this unusual form has grayish-green leaves edged in cream that are evergreen, and can light up a garden year around. White, four-petaled half-inch wide flowers appear from early spring until the weather starts warming up (for us in the Pacific Northwest they continue on into early summer), on elongating racemes that extend above and cover the foliage. A mature plant will reach eight to twelve inches tall when flowering, however otherwise will form a low mat of spreading growth with a height of six inches. It needs only average soil. The soil having good drainage is particularly important. For areas that have warm summers and high humidity, particularly in areas south of Zone 7, it can be short lived. Doubly colorful with its flowers and foliage, it does good duty in a rock garden, as an edging plant, and planted in the crevices of a rock wall. Native to mountains in Europe, its can survive winter cold to USDA Zone 3.