Iberis sempervirens 'IBSZ0002' SNOWSURFER™ FORTE candytuft
Iberis
Candytuft is a low growing, evergreen perennial, often used as a ground-covering plant. Did you know that it belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, and mustard? The flowers are the tell. It does not mean that candytuft is edible, but the good thing is that no plants from the Brassicaceae family are poisonous.
In 2008 Dutch breeder Henricus Stemkens began a project of crossbreeding candytuft with the aim of developing new varieties of remarkable qualities. He named his series SNOWSURFER™, and in 2016, introduced his second creation called SNOWSURFER™ FORTE. This variety is vigorously growing, producing large inflorescences early in the season of spring Iberis. The inflorescences are 5–7 cm wide and composed of snow-white flowers that bloom as early as the end of April.
The leaves are small, evergreen, deep green, and the plant is well-branched, making dense clumps despite its vigorous growth. It forms a low, mounding habit, and after flowering, it is recommended to prune it by half to promote even denser growth and to prevent the formation of empty patches with strong, leafless, semi-woody stems. The variety is protected by these patents: PP29382 (USA – 2018) and 45499 (EU – 2017).
Candytuft needs free-draining, neutral to alkaline soil, preferably poor soil that retains some moisture but doesn’t stay dry for too long. Though an alpine, this plant thrives in moist soil, though it dislikes boggy or waterlogged conditions, especially in winter. It prefers full sun and is very hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -34 °C (USDA zone 4) when protected from winter wet.
Last update 18-04-2025
