Arabis 'Pinkie'
Arabis 'Pinkie', commonly known as Pink Rock Cress, is a compact, mat-forming evergreen perennial that produces a vibrant carpet of soft pink flowers in early spring. Perfect for rockeries, borders, wall crevices, or containers, it combines reliable ground cover with cheerful seasonal colour. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant once established, 'Pinkie' is an ideal choice for brightening up dry, sunny areas with minimal effort.
Quick Facts
Type: Evergreen perennial
Common Name: Pink Rock Cress
Flower Colour: Bright to soft pink
Height: 15cm (0.5ft)
Spread: 45cm (1.5ft)
Flowering Time: April 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; prefers poor to moderately fertile conditions
Masses of Early Spring Flowers
Arabis 'Pinkie' bursts into flower just as the garden starts to wake up from winter. Its cheerful pink blooms are held in dense clusters above a bed of silvery-green foliage, creating a soft, cushion-like display. These early flowers provide welcome colour and interest when little else is in bloom, making it an excellent choice for seasonal highlights.
Excellent for Rockeries and Edges
With its low, spreading habit, 'Pinkie' is ideal for edging paths, cascading over stone walls, or filling gaps in rockeries. It thrives in shallow, well-drained soil and quickly forms a dense mat that helps suppress weeds. Its neat growth also makes it a popular option for alpine beds and gravel gardens.
Evergreen Foliage for Year-Round Interest
Even after the blooms fade, Arabis 'Pinkie' retains its tidy mound of evergreen foliage. The small, grey-green leaves provide texture and structure throughout the year, softening hard surfaces and filling out planting spaces with subtle charm.
A Magnet for Early Pollinators
The flowers of Arabis 'Pinkie' are rich in nectar and attract a range of early-flying pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Planting this variety helps support garden wildlife at a crucial time of year when food sources are still limited.
Low Maintenance and Drought-Tolerant
Once established, 'Pinkie' is exceptionally easy to care for and highly tolerant of dry conditions. It requires very little watering, doesn’t need feeding, and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. A light trim after flowering keeps the plant compact and encourages fresh growth.
Growing Tips
Watering: Water well after planting. Once established, only water during prolonged dry spells.
Feeding: No feeding required in poor soils. In containers, use a low-nitrogen feed in early spring.
Pruning: Shear back lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage a tidy mound.
Potted: Ideal for alpine troughs, containers, and shallow pots with good drainage.
Propagation: Easy to propagate by division in spring or autumn, or from seed.
Hardy and Weather-Resistant
Arabis 'Pinkie' is hardy throughout most of the UK and performs well in both exposed and sheltered locations. In wet regions, ensure good drainage to prevent root rot over winter. A gravel mulch can help protect the crown in damp soils.
Companion Planting Ideas
'Pinkie' pairs well with other sun-loving, low-growing plants for a vibrant spring display, including:
These combinations create a tapestry of colours and textures that bring borders and rockeries to life.
Why Choose Arabis 'Pinkie'?
For gardeners looking for dependable early colour, evergreen structure, and effortless beauty, Arabis 'Pinkie' is an excellent addition to sunny spaces. Its tough nature, attractive blooms, and year-round presence make it a rewarding choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
Brighten your spring garden with the soft pink charm and easy-going nature of Arabis 'Pinkie'.
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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