A member of the Brassicaceae or Cress family, this plant is native to Alpine regions but has escaped from gardens and can be found growing on walls and as ground cover around the UK.
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Purple Rock Cress
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Purple Rock Cress
| Hedgerow Type | |
| Common Names | Purple Rock Cress |
| Scientific Name | Aubrieta deltoidea |
| Season Start | Jan |
| Season End | Jan |
Please note that each and every hedgerow item you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Leaves
Grey/green and covered in tiny hairs. The leaves are somewhat obovate with a blunt end and a few forward pointing spurs on the edges.
Flowers
Pink to purple with visible veins and bright yellow colouring behind the flower. Typical Brassica cruciform flowers. The flowers can be so abundant, they cover the leaves so the whole plant looks purple/pink.
Flower Buds
Colourful yellow buds emerge from the green involucre. The purple/pink colours are seen when the flower opens.
Seed Pods
The seed pods appear from the centre of the flower as a thin spike that expands to a long, cigar shaped fruit covered in tiny hairs.
Habitat
On rocky ground or on walls, can establish itself as a ground cover plant.
Smell
Mild but floral.
Frequency
Fairly common.
Collecting
The flowers are the best part of rock cress tasting quite sweet. The leaves are an acquired taste.
Other Facts
The name Abrieta comes from an artist, Aubriet, who was the Royal Botanical painter in 17th century France.
Rock Cress prefers alkaline to neutral soils with good drainage.
