Cascade Blue, also known as Rock Cress, is a low-growing, flowering plant native to the Mediterranean. This variety offers a compact spreading habit of 3-6" tall and 12-18" wide. Perennial in zone 4-9, Rock Cress flourishes in full or partial sun, adding color and texture to landscape borders, rock walls, containers, and rock gardens. Its early, long bloom makes it an excellent choice to grow alongside spring annuals. Prolific blue flowers and evergreen foliage also make an exceptional ground cover. Grow Blue alongside Cascade Red and Cascade Purple for striking color contrast.
Cascade Blue Selling Tips
Sell Cascade Blue to customers looking for a low-maintenance perennial to add a splash of color to mixed containers, patio pots, or landscape borders and edges. This plant offers many benefits, including an early bloom, evergreen foliage, and a spreading habit. Customers will love vibrant, prolific flowers that attract pollinators. Cascade Blue brings color to the landscape beginning in early spring, with dark green foliage all year. Perennial in zone 6-9, Aubrieta requires little more than full sun in northern climates or partial shade in southern areas with moderate water and well-drained soil to flourish. Create an attractive spring container or border by growing Aubrieta alongside Aurinia saxatilis, Bergenia cordifolia, Euphorbia, Iberis, Daffodils, Tulips, and Creeping Phlox.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 12-18" apart in the garden or closer together in containers. This variety excels at spilling over the edge of a container or rock wall.
2. Water regularly, especially during the first year, as the plant establishes roots.
3. Plant in full sun in the north or partial shade in hot climates.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
For best results with Cascade Blue, plant one rooted liner per 4-inch or gallon container. Use a well-drained soil in full sun with a pH of 5.5-5.9, light feed (75-125 ppm), and an EC of 0.9-1.3 mS/cm (SME) or 1.4-2.0 mS/cm (PourThru). This plant requires bulking and vernalization. Follow 5-6 weeks of bulking at 64-66 degrees with 6-10 weeks of vernalization at 40-50 degrees. Vernalization should occur when foliage fills 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot diameter. Use low feed when entering and during vernalization. Aubrieta is day-neutral and does best with 6,000-8,000 fc light. Finish in daytime temperatures of 66-68 degrees and night-time temperatures of 58-60 degrees. Finishing time for a 4-inch container is 14-18 weeks, or 26 weeks including bulking and vernalization. Plant rooted plugs in final containers in mid-fall for spring sales, doing the bulking and vernalization process throughout the fall and winter. Provide sufficient airflow to prevent pythium root rot and botrytis. You may see aphids.
Flowering
Blue flowers bloom from March through May.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow around the base and foliage of each plant to help prevent pythium and botrytis.
Height Control
Cascade Blue doesn't typically require PGRs. Spray B-Nine at 2,500-3,750 ppm if needed to control height.
Pests
You may see aphids.
Disease
Cascade Blue can be prone to pythium root rot and botrytis , especially while the days are short. These diseases are usually associated with wet or humid conditions. You can prevent disease by allowing the plant to dry out between waterings, providing good airflow in your greenhouse, and spacing containers to allow the sun to penetrate to the soil level. The most common chemicals used to treat botrytis are Medallion and Banrot. Use them as a drench according to each label’s instructions.
Planting Cascade Blue Liners
We recommend planting one or two rooted plugs per 4-inch or gallon container. Plant the plugs in the middle of the container in well-drained soil and be sure to completely bury the ellepot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Aubrieta Cascade Blue Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 14-18 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Spring |
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| Color | Blue |
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| Habit | Compact, Mounding |
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| Height | 3-6 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
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| Minimum Temp | 58 |
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| Perennial Zone | Zones 4-9 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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