Areneria

Most of the Sandworts are low-growing or spreading perennials, some of which are evergreen, although there are a few are annuals within the genus. All have narrow, greyish green leaves, that can form loose mats or dense cushions, covered in late spring and early summer with a profusion of mostly white flowers. Arenaria thrive in dry conditions and are suitable for the rock garden and growing in the crevices found in dry stone walling. Grown in the gaps between the paving slabs of a patio they can be used to soften the edges and transform a bare area.

Varieties: -


Arenaria. balearica	Form: Prostrate, evergreen, perennial Height: <0.5in (<1cm) Spread: Indefinite Foliage: The plants will form a spreading 1cm thick covering over any wet porous rock surface. Flowers: In late spring/early summer minute white flowers cover the mats of foliage. Grows well in partial shade

Arenaria. montana	Form: Prostrate, mat-forming, perennial Height: 2in (5cm) Spread: 5in (12cm) Foliage: Loose mats of small, narrow oval leaves. Flowers: In summer producing large, round, white flowers.

Arenaria. purpurascens	Form: Evergreen mat-forming perennial Height: 1in (2.5cm) Spread: 6in (15cm) Foliage: Having pointed glossy green leaves. Flowers: In early spring the plants are covered with many small clusters of star-shaped pale to purplish-pink flowers.

Arenaria. tetraquetra	Form: Evergreen, dense, cushion-forming perennial. Height: 1in (2.5 cm) Spread: 6in+ (15cm+) Foliage: Producing a cushion of small, grey-green, leaves Flowers: In late spring, the plant produces many stemless, star-shaped, white flowers. Requires very well drained soil.

Propagation: -

Divide plants in early spring

Sow seeds in the cold frame during autumn, or during early summer take new shoots from the base and treat as softwood cuttings.