Arabis Rosea
Arabis rosea, commonly known as Pink Rock Cress, is a charming, low-growing perennial that brings a cheerful splash of soft pink to the spring garden. Ideal for rockeries, walls, path edges, and gravel beds, this reliable ground cover forms a neat mat of grey-green foliage smothered in flowers as the season warms. Easy to grow and early to bloom, it’s perfect for brightening up sunny, free-draining spots.
Quick Facts
Type: Evergreen perennial
Common Name: Pink Rock Cress
Flower Colour: Soft pink
Height: 15cm (0.5ft)
Spread: 20cm (0.7ft)
Flowering Time: March to May
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 to -15 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H6)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, light, sandy or stony soil; thrives in poor soils
Early Spring Colour
One of the first perennials to flower each year, Arabis rosea is invaluable for adding early season interest. Masses of dainty, four-petalled pink flowers appear in spring, creating a soft blanket of colour that’s especially welcome after the grey of winter. The blooms are held just above the foliage and make a lovely contrast with the plant’s cool-toned leaves.
Excellent Ground Cover
This plant forms a low, spreading carpet of evergreen leaves, making it ideal for covering bare soil, spilling over walls, or softening the edges of paving. Its dense growth suppresses weeds and adds a tidy, finished look to borders and beds. Once established, it requires very little care and will return year after year with reliable performance.
Ideal for Rock Gardens and Edges
Arabis rosea is especially suited to sunny rock gardens, alpine beds, and container displays. It thrives in poor, dry soils where many other plants might struggle, making it a useful addition to tricky spots such as gravel paths or dry banks. It also performs beautifully in wall crevices or raised beds where drainage is sharp.
Pollinator-Friendly
While modest in size, Arabis rosea is valuable to early emerging pollinators such as bees, who are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers. It plays a useful role in wildlife-friendly gardens, helping to support insect activity in the cooler months of spring.
Easy to Grow and Low Maintenance
This is a plant for gardeners who prefer a hands-off approach. Arabis rosea needs little more than a sunny position and well-drained soil. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, doesn’t need feeding, and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. Trim back lightly after flowering to keep its shape neat and encourage fresh growth.
Growing Tips
Watering: Water well during dry spells in the first year. Once established, only water during prolonged droughts.
Feeding: Not required in poor soils. Avoid overfeeding, as rich soil can lead to leggy growth.
Pruning: Lightly shear back after flowering to maintain a compact form.
Potted: Excellent in shallow containers and alpine troughs. Ensure good drainage.
Propagation: Can be divided in autumn or spring, or grown from seed.
Fully Hardy and Reliable
Arabis rosea is hardy in most UK gardens and copes well with frost, wind, and dry conditions. Its evergreen foliage provides interest year-round, even when not in flower.
Companion Planting Ideas
Combine Arabis rosea with other sun-loving, low-growing perennials and alpines for a vibrant spring display, such as:
Together, these create a textured, colourful carpet ideal for sunny, free-draining areas.
Why Choose Arabis rosea?
For gardeners seeking early spring colour, drought resistance, and a tidy, spreading habit, Arabis rosea is an excellent choice. It brings life to rockeries, edges, and containers with minimal maintenance and maximum reward.
Add Arabis rosea to your garden for a dependable burst of pink that marks the start of the growing season with cheer and charm.
Buying Alpines from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our alpines after flowering to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy alpines, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email
orders@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
From late autumn onwards and dependant on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Alpines are a group of perennials that generally grow in rocky conditions at high altitudes.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
By using this simple guide and a little time, alpines can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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