30Pcs  (FL143) Arenaria Mountain Soapwort Flower Seeds-Arenaria Montana

These easy to grow moss-like, creeping plants form dense grey-green mats of narrow leaves, topped with attractive white flowers. Blooms 2.5 cm (1″) across sit just above the foliage and flower in early to mid May. In the garden, plants spread up to 20-30 cm (10-12″) across while keeping their low growing habit of 5-10 cm (2-4″). Tolerant of moderate foot traffic, these plants are ideal for crevices in pathways and are very attractive in rockeries or trailing over walls. Perennial hardy to Zone 4

Arenaria montana is a classic little alpine or rock garden plant, still relatively unknown to many gardeners. 

The plant has narrow, glossy green leaves that form prostrate mats of foliage that are evergreen. In mid-spring, Sandwort is blanketed by relatively large 1.25cm (½in) wide, white flowers. It is an impressive show that has tremendous impact when grown en masse and is even more spectacular when spring-flowering bulbs are mixed in.  

Arenaria montana is native to mountainous regions of southwestern Europe, from the Pyrenees of France to Portugal.

Mountain Sandwort does best in full sun to partial shade and prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden. It is not particular as to soil type or pH and is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.

Plants will grow to be only 5cm (2in) tall at maturity extending to 1.5cm (4in) tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30cm (12in). Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground and grows at a slow rate. Under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.

With a ground-hugging habit of growth this useful plant can be used at the front of the border, it can be used en masse as a lawn substitute for low foot traffic areas and is a good candidate for a green roof.

They are at their loveliest spilling over edges of walls and rocks to create the illusion of a living waterfall and will quickly fill in the spaces between stepping stones or trail down the sides of walls.

Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit 

In 1993 Arenaria montana was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM). 

A key indicator that this variety is worth growing in your garden

How to Grow

Sowing: Sow in spring or in autumn. 

Prepare pots or trays with good free draining seed compost; moisten by standing in water, then drain. Surface sow two seeds per pot or cell and press them gently down to firm them in. Cover the seed with a fine layer of vermiculite if you have it. 

Seal pots in a polythene bag or cover trays with clear plastic lids until after germination. It is important to keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Remove the polythene bag once the first seedlings appear. Germination usually take 14 to 30 days at temperatures around 12 to 18°C (55 to 65°F), occasionally germination may be erratic, if all seeds do not germinate in 4 weeks do not throw, remove pots/tray to a cool shaded area. 

The seedlings are usually large enough to handle after 4 to 5 weeks. Transplant the seedlings into small 9cm (3½in) pots. If you require the plants to cover a large area, two or three seedlings can be planted in one pot. Place the pots in a coldframe or unheated greenhouse to grow on. 

Before transplanting the plants outdoors, hardened the plants off gradually by placing them outside in a sheltered position during the day; bring them in at night to avoid frosts. They do best in moist but well draining soils but are not suited for heavy dry soils or damp soil amend soil if necessary before planting. Space plants 20cm (8in) apart.

Quick tip on growing:

 This plant may need one full growing season in the garden before it flowers. For a chance at first season bloom, sow indoors in a soil-less mix anytime from January through early March – do not cover the seed as light aids germination. Germinates at 20 C (70 F) in 20 days. After that, grow on under lights at a cooler temperature of 13 C (55 F) before hardening off and transplanting to the garden in a sunny site.