Audrey Blue Shades, also known as Aubrieta hybrida or Rock Cress, is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. Syngenta developed this cultivar for its uniform habit and early bloom. Perennial in zone 6-9, this plant offers a compact mounding habit of 6-8" tall and wide. This plant flourishes in full sun, and its early, long bloom makes it an excellent choice to grow alongside spring annuals. Prolific blue flowers add color and interest to mixed containers, patio pots, landscape borders, and rock gardens. Audrey Blue Shades evergreen foliage brings texture to the landscape year-round and, in ideal conditions, will live up to 10 years. Grow Blue Shades alongside Purple Shades and Red for striking color contrast.
Audrey Blue Shades Selling Tips
Sell Audrey Blue Shades to customers looking for a low-maintenance perennial to add a splash of color to mixed containers, patio pots, or landscape borders and edges. This plant offers many benefits, including an early bloom, evergreen foliage, and a uniform habit. Customers will love vibrant, prolific flowers that attract pollinators. Audrey Blue Shades grows 6-8" tall and wide, bringing color to the landscape beginning in early spring, with dark green foliage all year. Perennial in zone 6-9, Aubrieta requires little more than full sun in northern climates or partial shade in southern areas with moderate water and well-drained soil to flourish. Create an attractive spring container or border by growing Aubrieta alongside Aurinia saxatilis, Bergenia cordifolia, Euphorbia, Iberis, Daffodils, Tulips, and Creeping Phlox.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 8-10" apart in the garden or closer together in containers.
2. Water regularly, especially during the first year, as the plant establishes roots.
3. Plant in full sun in the north or partial shade in hot climates.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Audrey Blue Shades, plant one rooted liner per 4-inch or gallon container. Use a well-drained soil in full sun with a pH of 5.5-5.9, light feed (75-125 ppm), and an EC of 0.9-1.3 mS/cm (SME) or 1.4-2.0 mS/cm (PourThru). This plant requires bulking and vernalization. Follow 5-6 weeks of bulking at 64-66 degrees with 6-10 weeks of vernalization at 40-50 degrees. Vernalization should occur when foliage fills 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot diameter. Use low feed when entering and during vernalization. Aubrieta is day-neutral and does best with 6,000-8,000 fc light. Finish in daytime temperatures of 66-68 degrees and night-time temperatures of 58-60 degrees. Finishing time for a 4-inch container is 14-18 weeks, or 26 weeks including bulking and vernalization. Plant rooted plugs in final containers in mid-fall for spring sales, doing the bulking and vernalization process throughout the fall and winter. Provide sufficient airflow to prevent pythium root rot and botrytis. You may see aphids.
Flowering
Blue flowers bloom from early spring to early summer.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow around the base and foliage of each plant to help prevent pythium and botrytis.
Height Control
Audrey Blue Shades doesn't typically require PGRs. Spray B-Nine at 2,500-3,750 ppm if needed to control height.
Pests
You may see aphids.
Disease
Audrey Blue Shades can be prone to pythium root rot and botrytis , especially while the days are short. These diseases are usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent disease by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, providing good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing containers to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Audrey Blue Shades Liners
We recommend planting one or two rooted plugs per 4-inch or gallon container. Plant the plugs in the middle of the container in well-drained soil and be sure to completely bury the ellepot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Aubrieta Audrey Blue Shades Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time | 14-18 Weeks |
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Bloom Period | Spring |
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Color | Blue |
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Habit | Compact, Mounding |
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Height | 6-8 Inches |
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Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
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Minimum Temp | 58 |
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Perennial Zone | 6-9 |
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Water Needs | Light |
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Patented Plant | No |
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