Arabis ‘Old Gold’
Arabis ‘Old Gold’ is a striking evergreen perennial that combines glowing golden-variegated foliage with masses of bright white spring flowers. A true standout among ground covers, this variety brings year-round interest to rock gardens, walls, and sunny borders. Its compact, mat-forming habit makes it ideal for edging and weed suppression, while its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for gardeners of all experience levels.
Quick Facts
Type: Evergreen perennial
Common Name: Variegated Rock Cress
Flower Colour: White
Foliage Colour: Green with golden-yellow margins
Height: 10cm (0.3ft)
Spread: 30cm (1ft)
Flowering Time: April to June
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H5)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, light, sandy or stony soil; prefers poorer soils and dry conditions
Unique Variegated Foliage
What sets Arabis ‘Old Gold’ apart is its eye-catching foliage. The small, toothed leaves are bright green with glowing golden-yellow edges, forming a vibrant evergreen carpet even when not in flower. This bold leaf colouring adds contrast and brightness to the garden year-round, especially effective in gravel beds or stone settings.
A Blanket of White in Spring
In early spring, ‘Old Gold’ is smothered in clusters of small, pure white flowers that rise just above the foliage. These blooms provide a refreshing burst of colour, enhancing the contrast with the golden leaves and lifting the mood of the garden as it emerges from winter.
Perfect for Rockeries and Edging
With its spreading but tidy habit, Arabis ‘Old Gold’ is ideal for softening the edges of borders, tumbling over walls, and filling gaps in rock gardens or alpine beds. It thrives in shallow soils and is well suited to planting between paving stones, in containers, or over gravel.
Pollinator-Friendly
The white spring flowers attract bees and other early-flying pollinators, offering a much-needed nectar source when few other blooms are available. It’s a great addition to wildlife-friendly planting schemes focused on supporting pollinators throughout the seasons.
Drought-Tolerant and Easy to Grow
Arabis ‘Old Gold’ is exceptionally easy to care for. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor, well-drained soils. It requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for low-effort gardening, especially in hot, dry, or exposed locations.
Growing Tips
Watering: Water regularly in the first season to help establish roots. Thereafter, only water in prolonged dry spells.
Feeding: Not usually necessary in garden soil. In containers, apply a light, balanced feed in early spring.
Pruning: Lightly trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh new growth.
Potted: Performs well in troughs and pots with gritty compost and good drainage.
Propagation: Can be propagated by division in spring or autumn, or grown from seed.
Hardy and Reliable
Arabis ‘Old Gold’ is fully hardy across most of the UK, capable of withstanding frost and cold winds. It is particularly well suited to dry, sunny slopes, gravel gardens, and raised beds where water drains freely.
Companion Planting Ideas
Pair with other drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants for a long-lasting display:
These combinations create a colourful, textured tapestry ideal for rockeries, alpine beds, and containers.
Why Choose Arabis ‘Old Gold’?
For gardeners who want bright foliage, early flowers, and reliable ground cover, Arabis ‘Old Gold’ ticks all the boxes. It’s compact, colourful, easy to grow, and brings lasting interest to even the driest corners of the garden.
Add Arabis ‘Old Gold’ to your planting schemes for a bold splash of colour and year-round garden appeal with virtually no upkeep.
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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