Sibbaldia
Sibbaldia procumbens · Rosaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant sibbaldia: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- July to August, yellow flowers
- Adult size
- 5-10 cm in height, 20-30 cm spread
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15°C and below)
- Origin
- Mountains of Europe (Alps, Pyrenees)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rocky, poor to average
Care
Exposure
Plant your sibbaldia in full sun or partial shade. It develops best in sunny, well-ventilated locations, typical of rocky high-altitude environments.
Watering
Water moderately when planting, then very sparingly once established. This alpine plant tolerates summer drought well and fears excess moisture in winter, particularly in heavy soil.
Soil
Choose poor, well-drained and rocky soil, ideally with gravel or pumice. Improve drainage by raising the soil slightly if needed in humid regions.
Pruning and maintenance
No strict pruning required. Simply remove dead or invasive stems in spring to maintain a compact and airy shape.
Fertilizer
Apply no fertilizer: sibbaldia prefers poor soil and may lose hardiness if overfed. A light mineral amendment in spring is sufficient.
Diseases and pests
Very rarely affected by diseases. Avoid waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot. No major pests reported on this alpine species.
Did you know?
Sibbaldia procumbens owes its botanical name to Robert Sibbald, a Scottish botanist of the 17th century. This small plant is emblematic of alpine meadows in the Mont-Blanc massif and Swiss Alps, where it thrives in extreme high-altitude conditions and poor soil, forming attractive yellow flowering cushions at the height of summer.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.