Also known as rose rock cress, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the mustard family, Brassicaceae, that also includes alyssum, cabbage, and broccoli. It is endemic to California and grows mostly on rocky scrub in the San Francisco Bay Area and at low elevations in the nearby California Coast Ranges but is also grown as a garden plant. The plants produce flat rosettes of hairy dark green leaves two to three inches long and slender unbranched hairy stems six to twelve inches tall that carry short heavy racemes of fragrant purplish pink flowers. The four petaled flowers are cruciform and appear in the spring. Coast rock cress is drought and heat tolerant but cannot do well where high temperatures are accompanied by high humidity.
Type: Evergreen herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Clusters of small four petaled pink fragrant flowers in spring
Size: 6-12″ h x 12″ H
Light:Full sun
Soil: Lean, dry to medium moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-9, but intolerant of humidity
Care: Shear after flowering to maintain shape
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed, division after flowering, cuttings in spring
Companion Plants: Crocus, grape hyacinth, Iris reticulatum, sweet alyssum, candy tuft
Karen Meyers