Preferring full sun and dryish conditions Candytuft is very easy to grow and can be planted almost anywhere in the garden except deep shade. Native to the Mediterranean it flowers from May to August.
The glossy, evergreen foliage forms a billowing mound, with loads of good-sized white flowers. When grown in a garden it may require light pruning right after blooming, but otherwise plants can be left alone in fall and early spring.
It is drought tolerant once established. It prefers a well-drained site, so heavy clay soils that stay wet in winter should be avoided. It is not easily divided.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society’s Perfect For Pollinators list, Candytuft is one of the best plants for bees!
Related articles
- Honeybees and Herbs in the Garden (littlegreenbee.wordpress.com)
- Flowers For The Bees (romancingthebee.com)
One of my Favorites!
Mine too! 🙂
When candytuft cascades over a wall it is so graceful and happy looking. I guess it doesn’t look happy but it makes me happy.
It’s also beautiful under rose bushes!!
Great choice of plant to write about–often overlooked. I thought of you when I read this crazy bee story! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/honey-leaking-from-ceiling-leads-to-discovery-of-80000-bees-inside-ontario-home/article4450275/
Thanks!!
xo Deb
I love this flowers…they have a wonderful scent…
I love them too! 🙂
How weird! We have four huge candytuft’s and I’ve never seen a bee on one. Purple finches like them for their seeds, but I haven’t ever seen a honeybee on one. Is it a plant used for pollen?
I’m not sure, but the RHS is rarely wrong about what plants bees like!!
It must have to do with what’s available in our area, because my bees rarely stay in my yard. We have several dozen bee friendly plants, but the bees only stay for the clover if there’s enough of it and it’s kept watered, and the Red Hot Pokers (which the hummingbirds like for there nectar and the purple finches like for there pollen). We have several large Heathers, but there are rarely bees on them.
Love the lists provided! Have forwarded the Royal Horticultural Society list to my bee club as they are always discussing plants to attract pollinators! Thanks for posting !!!
You are very welcome!! 🙂
xo Deb
I will have to plant this in my garden next year. Thank you for providing the list, though it’s RHS’s list, I think I can grow many of them in the Northeastern US area.
I would think most would be fine in the Northeast. I love this list!!
I’ve reposted it several times!
xo Deb
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