Aubrieta Glacier (also known as Aubrieta Hybrida or Rock Cress) is a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. Perennial in zone 5-9, these Aubrieta cultivars developed by Syngenta offer a mat-forming habit, vigorous growth, and early bloom. This plant flourishes in full sun or partial shade, and its early, long bloom makes it an excellent choice to grow alongside spring annuals. Prolific 3/4" to 1" flowers attract butterflies and bring color and interest to mixed containers, landscape borders, rock gardens, and spilling over rock walls. Paired with roses, Glacier Sky Blue's evergreen foliage and flower colors create a stunning cottage garden. This low-maintenance plant can live in the landscape for up to 10 years. For more color varieties, try the Aubrieta Axcent series.
Glacier Sky Blue Selling Tips
Sell Glacier Sky Blue to customers looking for a low-maintenance perennial to add a splash of color in mixed containers, patio pots, landscape borders, or spilling over rock walls. Aubrieta Glacier offers many benefits, including an early bloom, vigorous habit, evergreen foliage, and easy care. Customers will love the prolific inch-wide flowers that attract pollinators. Glacier Sky Blue grows 4-6" tall and 10-12" wide, making a colorful addition to mixed containers and borders in the spring and bringing visual interest in dark green foliage throughout the year. Perennial in zones 5-9, 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. Aubrieta pairs well with roses, dianthus, spirea, and geraniums. Or mix Glacier Sky Blue with Aubrieta Glacier Red and Aubrieta Glacier Violet for a vibrant splash of color along a landscape border.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 10-12" apart in full sun or partial shade in the garden or containers.
2. Water regularly during blooming and minimally after blooming.
3. Deadhead blooms to encourage the growth and health of the whole plant.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Glacier Sky Blue, 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 (75-100 ppm), and an SME EC of 1.5-2.1 mS/cm or Pourthru EC of 2.3-3.2 mS/cm. This plant requires bulking and vernalization. Follow 5-6 weeks of bulking at 64-66 degrees with 7-8 weeks of vernalization at 45-50 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 5-6 weeks, or 21 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
Light blue flowers bloom from early to mid spring.
Pinching
Glacier Sky Blue doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow around plants to help prevent pythium and botrytis.
Height Control
Glacier Sky Blue doesn't typically require PGRs. Spray B-Nine at 2,500 PPM if needed to control height.
Pests
You may see aphids, however Aubrieta doesn't typically require treatment for pests.
Disease
Glacier Sky Blue 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.
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 Glacier Sky Blue Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time | 5-6 Weeks |
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10 Inch crop time | 6-7 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 | 4-6 Inches |
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Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
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Minimum Temp | 58 |
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Perennial Zone | 5-9 |
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Water Needs | Moderate |
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Patented Plant | yes |
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