Arabis ferdinandi-coburgi 'Old Gold' (v)

Description: Arabis Old Gold is a striking hardy evergreen perennial celebrated for its distinctive gold and green variegated foliage that provides year-round visual interest. This low-growing, mat-forming alpine plant produces delicate white flowers in spring (March to May), creating cheerful displays that attract pollinators. Native to mountainous regions, it forms dense carpets of aromatic foliage reaching just 5–10cm in height with a spread of 30–45cm, making it ideal for rock gardens, alpine troughs, wall crevices, and border edging. Once established, it is remarkably drought tolerant and thrives in well-drained conditions, particularly chalk and sandy soils common in South England. The evergreen leaves retain their golden variegation throughout winter, offering structural interest when many garden plants fade. It is highly low-maintenance, naturally suppressing weeds beneath its dense canopy whilst requiring minimal feeding or intervention. Equally at home in containers, between paving stones, or cascading over rockery edges, this reliable perennial brings Mediterranean charm to British gardens with minimal fuss.

Other benefits: evergreen, ground cover, rockery, wall crevices, edging, borders

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.1m x 0.4m

Position: full sun

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -15°C