Iberis (also known as Iberis Sempervirens or Candytuft) is a perennial flowering plant native to central Europe. Snowdrift has a compact habit of 5-8" tall and 9-12" wide with small white flowers that bloom in late spring; this is the latest blooming variety, beginning about four weeks after Snowcone or Snowsurfer. Foliage is evergreen in zone 3-9, where Iberis flourishes in sunny borders and containers. This plant is resistant to drought, deer, and rabbits while attracting pollinators to the garden. This variety developed by Syngenta requires vernalization. For a purple variety, try Mermaid.
Snowdrift Selling Tips
Sell Iberis to customers looking for a low-maintenance perennial for a border or container. Snowdrift offers many benefits, including extra small white flowers, evergreen foliage, and a compact mounding habit. This plant attracts pollinators to the garden while resisting deer and rabbits and tolerating cold temperatures. With little care, Snowdrift flourishes in full sun, bringing visual interest to the landscape in early spring. Create an attractive border by pairing Snowdrift with Artemesia and early spring bulbs.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 9-12" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Water regularly during the first season as the plant establishes roots.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Snowdrift, plant one plug per 4-inch or 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 5.6-6.0, and either SME EC of .9-1.3 mS/cm or PourThrough EC of 1.4-2.0 mS/cm. Use 100-150 ppm feed during bulking and vernalization and then reduce to 75-125 ppm during finishing. Maintain temperatures of 64-66 degrees during bulking, then 37-40 degrees during 7-8 weeks of vernalization. Finishing temperatures should be between 58-70 degrees. This plant requires bulking and vernalization, finishing in 19-22 weeks. Start plants in the fall for spring sales. You may see aphids or thrips, and downy mildew can affect Iberis in wet, humid conditions.
Flowering
Extra small white flowers bloom in late spring.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow around the base and foliage of each pot and to allow sunlight to penetrate to the soil.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs. However, you may apply 3-5 ppm Bonzi to hold plants before flowering.
Pests
You may see aphids or thrips.
Disease
Snowdrift can be susceptible to downy mildew. This fungal disease occurs when the days are wet and humid. It causes drooping leaves and yellow and brown spots. Treat downy mildew with a fungicide to prevent excessive leaf drops. Most importantly, prevent downy mildew by providing adequate airflow in the greenhouse and plenty of space between containers, watering at the base of each plant in the morning and allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, and growing plants in a location with full sun.
Planting Snowdrift Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch or 6-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center of the pot.
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.
Iberis Snowdrift Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 19-20 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Spring |
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| Color | White |
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| Habit | Compact, Mounding |
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| Height | 5-8 Inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 58 |
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| Perennial Zone | 3-9 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | Yes |
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